SQL Server 2008 Katmai Spatial new data type

Can someone can provide me with additional informations about that new data type named "spatial" plz? (and links to article)

Any information will be appreciated.

At the moment, only that information I was able to get my hands on:
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinf...n/default.mspx

Thks

What the name implies. It's related to coordinates. There's two "common" types of spatial data, one is for flat or planar surfaces, and one is for the "real" world, for example involving the transformation of the planar coordinates into those involving curved space-time (the shortest path between two points on planet Earth is a curved line).

If SQL 2008 stores such data, it will help in calculations of, for example, distances between two points, finding paths on maps, etc.

Thanks for your information mendhak still I'm starving to know more about that type :)

Like how can it be used (like you said, on a planar or curved surface)
What can we do with it
How it is implemented
What are the function supported on that data type
What is the precision

I guess I'll have to wait for M$ to know more about that.

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Originally Posted by Megistal

Like how can it be used (like you said, on a planar or curved surface)

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Think of maps. Google maps and other mapping applications.

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What can we do with it

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uhm... think of maps. :D

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How it is implemented

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If you think in terms of OOP, it's most likely an object created within SQL Server's native code with its own set of methods and procedures. On the inside, the basic guts, it's most likely nothing but a structure, holding, say, 3 integers.

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What are the function supported on that data type

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Dunno.

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What is the precision

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Dunno

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I guess I'll have to wait for M$ to know more about that.

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Definitely.

Sounds like MS is trying to make a move on the GIS market. Although, the only GIS implementation I have seen are on POSTGRE and SQL server.