Difference between SQL Server 2005 & 2008

Question

Can anyone give me some description about differences between SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2005?

Are there changes comes in update query or any new feature in 2008 version?

Answer 1

What's New In Sql Server 2008 - MSDN reference, comprehensive listing

What's New In Sql Server 2008 R2 - same, but for 2008 R2 version

What's New In Sql Server 2012 - same, but for 2012 version

Answer 2

Most important, in my opinion, are:

• MERGE
• Chained OUTPUT
• Ability to pass table variables into the stored procedures
• Native support for materialized path (hierarchyid)
• Filtered (partial) indexes