With the download availability of Visual Studio 2005 Beta2 and SQL Server 2005 April CTP on MSDN subscriber downloads it's about time to update my post on compatibility of the different builds.

Once again let's take a look at the version of the CLR that comes with each product:
VS.NET 2005 Beta2: 50215.44
SQL Server 2005 April CTP (aka IDW14, 9.00.1116.08): 50215.44

So there should be no problem installing both sidy-by-side and even the install order shouldn't matter this time. I've tried it out on my laptop (Yukon first then VSTS) and indeed everything worked out just fine. Please note that you'll need SP2 on WinXP or SP1 on WS2003 and Office 2003 SP1 (if you want to use VSTO).

Another note: When talking to a MS person they refer to Beta2 as 50215.45 because that is the correct version number. Why is that? 50215.45 = 50215.44 + updated SQL Express. So with regards to the binaries there is no difference between .44 and .45. You'll notice that all System.* assemblies are labeled .44.

Now you might ask which version of Avalon and Indigo is compatible with Beta2? And until now the answer is "None". As I described in the previous post the March CTPs required PD7 builds of the CLR to run. So basically if you want to use Avalon or Indigo stick with PD7 or wait for a new, upcoming CTP build of Avalon+Indigo.

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