Visual Studio, SQL Server 2005 Go Gold

Microsoft on Thursday released to manufacturing Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005, just over a week before the products make their official debut at a gala event in San Francisco. Downloads of the next-generation development products will be available for MSDN subscribers later today.

"Microsoft has noted since it began development of these products that it will ship when customers have indicated the products are ready," a company spokesperson told BetaNews, hinting at the numerous delays. "Today's RTM milestone is evidence that Microsoft's customers have given the company the 'OK' to sign, seal and deliver the latest evolution of its application platform."