We don't need the new features in SQL Server 2008, but should we upgrade anyway?

We are currently using SQL Server 2005. We don't need the new 开发者_JAVA技巧features in SQL Server 2008 R2, but should we upgrade anyway just to get it over with?

here's an article about why you should upgrade:

http://www.sqlmag.com/article/sql-server-2000/is-sql-server-2008-r2-for-you-.aspx`

Upgrading from 2005: More Functionality
If you’re running SQL Server 2005 then there’s a lot of new functionality to be gained by moving to SQL Server 2008 R2. SQL Server 2008 R2 includes the new BI functionality as well as the whole set of SQL Server 2008 features including database and database backup compression; transparent database encryption; new date, time, and spatial data types; new filestream data type; as well as the Resource Governor and policy-based management.

If you've got something that is working, you don't need any new features, and nobody is forcing the upgrade...why risk breaking what is working just fine?

My take is probably not, BUT, you do need to consider that Mainstream support for Sql Server 2005 will end in April 2011. This could be very important to your organization, or it could be nothing, just be aware of it.

Based on information found at http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/default.aspx?sort=PN&qid=&alpha=SQL+Server+2005&Filter=FilterNO

From a developer's perspective, being on SQL 2008 gives a couple of nice syntax improvements, i.e.

DECLARE @value int = 1

instead of

DECLARE @value int
SET @value = 1

And SQL Server Management Studio 2008 offers intellisense against SQL 2008 databases (assuming you aren't already using SQL Prompt or some other solution).

The new date data types are nice if you're able to start using them in new development.

Probably not enough to get an IT department to want to move, but with mainstream support ending in April 2011 (per @Matthew Vines), might be compelling enough to get interested in moving.

If for no other reason, I would upgrade because mainstream support for SQL Server 2005 is ending on April 12, 2011.

Not so important to upgrade, IMO. But it could be a chance to upgrade your CV as well :)