FEAT: Dummy Release Pipeline & Release 0.5.0 things (#84)

### Summary  
This pull request introduces updates to the Python driver for Microsoft
SQL Server, including enhancements to its functionality, release
pipeline configurations, and versioning. Key changes include
transitioning the driver to Public Preview, adding macOS support,
implementing connection pooling, and updating release pipelines for
better distribution management.

### Updates to driver functionality:
*
[`PyPI_Description.md`](diffhunk://#diff-5236254592b2fea0773f17424b16acf82e3aa351ad8bae33871de5c98eb76eedL5-R19):
Updated the documentation to announce the Public Preview release,
highlighting new features such as macOS support for ARM-based systems
and a robust connection pooling system for improved performance.

### Release pipeline updates:
*
[`eng/pipelines/dummy-release-pipeline.yml`](diffhunk://#diff-de3eb3d456dcb54748a65dfec8142a203b22d898a7f95930cfaffc5557d8d134R1-R48):
Added a new release pipeline configuration
(`mssql-python-official-release-pipeline`) to handle ESRP package
distribution, including steps for downloading artifacts and releasing
packages via ESRP.
*
[`eng/pipelines/official-release-pipeline.yml`](diffhunk://#diff-f296aaefe400fe34ca36f70a6678007397eeda60a5d3edde7594389f2391cc6fL30-R47):
Reactivated and updated the ESRP release task for PyPI package
distribution, ensuring proper configuration for publishing.

### Versioning update:
*
[`setup.py`](diffhunk://#diff-60f61ab7a8d1910d86d9fda2261620314edcae5894d5aaa236b821c7256badd7L96-R96):
Updated the version of the `mssql-python` package from `0.1.6` to
`0.5.0`, reflecting the transition to Public Preview and the inclusion
of significant new features.

### Issue Reference  
Fixes
[AB#37751](https://sqlclientdrivers.visualstudio.com/c6d89619-62de-46a0-8b46-70b92a84d85e/_workitems/edit/37751)

### Checklist  
- [x] **Tests Passed** (if applicable)  
- [x] **Code is formatted**   
- [x] **Docs Updated** (if necessary) 

### Testing Performed  
<!-- How was this fix tested? -->
- [x] Unit Tests

### Additional Notes  
<!-- Any extra details or related links -->

---------

Co-authored-by: Copilot <175728472+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

Author: bewithgaurav

PyPI_Description.md

@@ -2,23 +2,23 @@
 
 This is a new Python driver for Microsoft SQL Server currently in Alpha phase.
 
-## Alpha Version Release
+## Public Preview Release
 
-We are excited to announce the release of the alpha version of our driver. This marks a significant milestone in our development journey. While this version is still in the early stages, it includes the foundational code and initial logic that will drive future enhancements.
+We are making progress - The Public Preview of our driver is now available! This marks a significant milestone in our development journey. While we saw a few early adopters of our alpha release, we are introducing the following functionalities to support your applications in a more robust and reliable manner.
 
 ### What's Included:
 
-- Basic functionality to get you started.
-- Initial implementation of core features.
-- Placeholder for future improvements and updates.
+- Everything from alpha
+- macOS Support: The mssql-python driver now supports macOS on ARM-based systems, enabling seamless development on Apple Silicon (M-series) devices. This milestone strengthens our cross-platform capabilities—and we’re just getting started. Linux support is on the horizon!
+- Connection Pooling: We've introduced a robust and configurable connection pooling system designed to significantly enhance performance and optimize resource utilization. This feature ensures more efficient management of database connections, especially under high-load scenarios
 
 For more information, please visit the project link on Github: https://github.com/microsoft/mssql-python
 
 ### What's Next:
 
-As we continue to develop and refine the driver, you can expect regular updates that will introduce new features, optimizations, and bug fixes. We encourage you to provide feedback and report any issues you encounter, as this will help us improve the driver for the final release.
+As we continue to develop and refine the driver, you can expect regular updates that will introduce new features, optimizations, and bug fixes. We encourage you to contribute, provide feedback and report any issues you encounter, as this will help us improve the driver for the final release.
 
 ### Stay Tuned:
 
 We appreciate your interest and support in this project. Stay tuned for more updates and enhancements as we work towards delivering a robust and fully-featured driver in coming months.
-Thank you for being a part of our journey!
+Thank you for being a part of our journey!

eng/pipelines/dummy-release-pipeline.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+name: mssql-python-official-release-pipeline
+
+variables:
+  - group: 'ESRP Federated Creds (AME)'
+
+jobs:
+- job: ReleaseESRPPackage
+  displayName: 'Release ESRP Package'
+  pool:
+    vmImage: 'windows-latest'
+  
+  steps:
+  - task: DownloadPipelineArtifact@2
+    inputs:
+      buildType: 'specific'
+      project: '$(System.TeamProject)'
+      definition: 2162
+      buildVersionToDownload: 'latest'
+      branchName: '$(Build.SourceBranch)'
+      artifactName: 'mssql-python-wheels-dist'
+      targetPath: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)\dist'
+    displayName: 'Download release wheel files artifact from latest successful run on main branch'
+
+  # Show content of the downloaded artifact
+  - script: |
+      echo "Contents of the dist directory:"
+      dir "$(Build.SourcesDirectory)\dist"
+    displayName: 'List contents of dist directory'
+
+  - task: EsrpRelease@9
+    displayName: 'ESRP Release'
+    inputs:
+      connectedservicename: '$(ESRPConnectedServiceName)'
+      usemanagedidentity: true
+      keyvaultname: '$(AuthAKVName)'
+      signcertname: '$(AuthSignCertName)'
+      clientid: '$(EsrpClientId)'
+      Intent: 'PackageDistribution'
+      # Changing content type to Maven release (NOT PyPI) since we want to do dummy release
+      # for ESRP testing purposes, not for actual PyPI distribution.
+      # This is a workaround to allow ESRP to process the release without actual PyPI content
+      # and to avoid ESRP validation errors.
+      ContentType: 'Maven'
+      ContentSource: 'Folder'
+      FolderLocation: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)/dist'
+      WaitForReleaseCompletion: true
+      Owners: '$(owner)'
+      Approvers: '$(approver)'
+      ServiceEndpointUrl: 'https://api.esrp.microsoft.com'
+      MainPublisher: 'ESRPRELPACMAN'
+      DomainTenantId: '$(DomainTenantId)'

eng/pipelines/official-release-pipeline.yml

@@ -27,21 +27,21 @@ jobs:
       dir "$(Build.SourcesDirectory)\dist"
     displayName: 'List contents of dist directory'
 
-  # - task: EsrpRelease@9
-  #   displayName: 'ESRP Release'
-  #   inputs:
-  #     connectedservicename: '$(ESRPConnectedServiceName)'
-  #     usemanagedidentity: true
-  #     keyvaultname: '$(AuthAKVName)'
-  #     signcertname: '$(AuthSignCertName)'
-  #     clientid: '$(EsrpClientId)'
-  #     Intent: 'PackageDistribution'
-  #     ContentType: 'PyPI'
-  #     ContentSource: 'Folder'
-  #     FolderLocation: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)/dist'
-  #     WaitForReleaseCompletion: true
-  #     Owners: '$(owner)'
-  #     Approvers: '$(approver)'
-  #     ServiceEndpointUrl: 'https://api.esrp.microsoft.com'
-  #     MainPublisher: 'ESRPRELPACMAN'
-  #     DomainTenantId: '$(DomainTenantId)'
+  - task: EsrpRelease@9
+    displayName: 'ESRP Release'
+    inputs:
+      connectedservicename: '$(ESRPConnectedServiceName)'
+      usemanagedidentity: true
+      keyvaultname: '$(AuthAKVName)'
+      signcertname: '$(AuthSignCertName)'
+      clientid: '$(EsrpClientId)'
+      Intent: 'PackageDistribution'
+      ContentType: 'PyPI'
+      ContentSource: 'Folder'
+      FolderLocation: '$(Build.SourcesDirectory)/dist'
+      WaitForReleaseCompletion: true
+      Owners: '$(owner)'
+      Approvers: '$(approver)'
+      ServiceEndpointUrl: 'https://api.esrp.microsoft.com'
+      MainPublisher: 'ESRPRELPACMAN'
+      DomainTenantId: '$(DomainTenantId)'

setup.py

@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ def finalize_options(self):
 
 setup(
     name='mssql-python',
-    version='0.1.6',
+    version='0.5.0',
     description='A Python library for interacting with Microsoft SQL Server',
     long_description=open('PyPI_Description.md', encoding='utf-8').read(),
     long_description_content_type='text/markdown',