CTP: Community Technology Preview (beta release)

RC: Release Candidate

RTM: Released To Manufacturing; It is the finalized released build version of the

product.

Cumulative Update:-
CU's contain the bug fixes and enhancements�up to that point in time�that have been
added since the previous Service Pack/RTM release.

Installation of the Cumulative Update is similar to the installation of a Service

Pack. Cumulative Updates are not fully regression tested in previous versions, but
from January-2016 Microsoft recommends proactive installation of SQL Server CUs as
they become available. SQL Server CUs are certified to the same levels as Service
Packs, and can be installed with the same level of confidence.

Hotfix: Hotfix is a solution for a specific bug/defect/issue.

GDR: General Distribution Release; GDR fixes should not contain any of the CU
updates.
GDRs (General Distribution Release) are new means of providing support. GDR fixes
are reserved for those issues identified by SQL Server support as important enough
to install on every instance of SQL Server.

QFE/LDR:Quick Fix Engineering; QFE updates include CU fixes.

QFEs (Quick Fix Engineering) are used for the majority of fixes where the effects
of the problem are not widespread or severe enough to warrant a GDR.

Service Pack:
Collection of CU's and hotfixes. Service Packs are cumulative i.e. SP2 contains
SP1, SP3 contains SP1 and SP2.

In SQL Server 2005:

Service Pack; much larger collection of hotfixes that have been fully regression
tested. In some cases delivers product enhancements. When Service Pack gets applied
the dll files (binaries) get overwritten. For example

Native client (ncli.1399.dll)

If SP4 is applied, then the respective dll is overwritten to newer version in
binaries path.
Native Client (ncli.5000.dll)

Hence it is impossible to uninstall Service Pack/CU/Hotfix in 2005, but in versions

after SQL 2005 it is possible to uninstall SP/CU/Hotfix.

* It is a strict recommended practice to Reboot the machine after applying SP.

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Simplified Version:-

What is Hotfix?
Solution for a specific bug.
GDR(General Distribution Release)
QFE(Limited Distribution Release)
What is CU?
Cumulative Update: Its a collection of hotfixes.

What is Service Pack?

Its a collection CU's and hotfixes.

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