From scanning news/posts in the interwebs I have noticed several issues regarding upgrades to CU2, so I wanted to start a discussion on this topic.
I'm not a novice ... if anything I'm a bit old-school so I'm not a fan or adopter of a lot of new changes (especially on how Msft now handles their SQL Samples ... databases, etc ... via Git ... but that's for another rant) // anyway
I rarely apply a "patch" to my SQL installation unless I know that the "patch" will FIX!! my very-very specific issue. But I also know that some folks (especially novices) tend to apply all new "patches".
From the Update Center (UC) for Msft SQL Server (https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff803383.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396) we see the following pattern:
Product Version
Latest Service Pack
Latest GDR Update
Latest Cumulative Update
CU Release Date
General
I'm a bit confused on what exactly a CU provides over a Service Pack or GDR and what the industry standard is (as defined by we forum participates).
The UC has "N/A" listed for SQL Server 2016 ... does that mean Msft will no longer provide Service Packs for SQL Server (i.e., they have been forever replaced by CU's and GDR's)
SOTATS, Inc.