| December 2, 2013
4 comments

SQL Advent Calendar 2013 – Day 2 – Macro to Remove Common Fields in ER Studio Data Architect

First Post in this series: SQL Advent Calendar 2013-Day 1- Placeholders in SQL Prompt Snippets

AdventCalendar02As I was hanging our family Advent Calendar up, I thought I would make one for you, my readers. I’ll be sharing my scripts from two of my favorite products as well as tips on how to create your own.

Behind Door Number Two

ER Studio Data Architect by Embarcadero (ER Studio DA) has the ability to create macros, which makes me absolutely happy. Why? Because I don’t like repetitive work. If I can create a macro, then I can have the computer do the repetitive work while I go get a peppermint mocha.

One day I was working on a macro that created fields for multiple tables. I realized during the development process that I also needed a macro to delete fields for multiple tables. So I created the macro below. It has come in handy many times.

'----------------------------------------------------------------------------
' PURPOSE:  	This macro adds base attributes to entities that are selected.
' Author:   	Mickey Stuewe
' Date:     	9/3/2013
' version:      1.0
'----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Main

Dim objModel As Model
Dim objSelObject As SelectedObject
Dim objEntity As Entity
Dim iCounter As Integer

Begin Dialog UserDialog 440,98,"Continue?" ' %GRID:10,7,1,1
	Text 20,21,250,28,"Are you sure you want to remove a field from the selected tables?",.lblOwner
	OKButton 300,21,120,28
	CancelButton 300,56,120,28
	Text 20,56,80,14,"Field Name:",.Text1
	TextBox 100,56,170,14,.txtFieldName
End Dialog

Dim dlg As UserDialog

If Dialog(dlg) = -1 Then

	Set objModel = DiagramManager.ActiveDiagram.ActiveModel

	' Iterate through all the selected objects in the current
	' model.
	For Each objSelObject In objModel.ActiveSubModel.SelectedObjects

		'Get the object type - we are only concerned
		'with entities.
		If objSelObject.Type = 1 Then

			Set objEntity =  objModel.Entities.Item(objSelObject.ID)

			objEntity.Attributes.Remove(dlg.txtFieldName)

			iCounter = iCounter + 1
		End If
	Next objSelObject

	MsgBox dlg.txtFieldName & " was removed from " & iCounter & " Table(s).", vbOkOnly + vbInformation, "Attributes Removed From Tables"
End If

End Sub

To use this macro, follow the steps below.

  1. Add the macro to the library. (Tomorrow I’ll be expanding on this step.)
  2. Add the macro to the shortcut menu for Tables.
  3. Select several tables that have a common field you would like to remove.
  4. Implement your new macro
  5. Watch the unwanted fields go away. (When I do this to 30 tables at one time, I actually feel giddy. True story.)
Note: You can download this macro from my Script Library under Resources. It’s called Remove Attribute From Selected Tables.

Next Post In Series: SQL Advent Calendar 2013 – Day 3 – Organize Before All The New Toys Come In

Category: Data Modeling, Database Modeling, ER/Studio Data Architect, Script, SQL Advent Calendar, T-SQL | Tags: , , , ,
| December 1, 2013
16 comments

SQL Advent Calendar 2013-Day 1- Placeholders in SQL Prompt Snippets

AdventCalendar01Today my daughter Natalie and I started our first LEGO Advent Calendar – Star Wars edition. While this particular calendar is not Christian centric, it’s a lot of fun for us. For those that aren’t familiar with an Advent Calendar, it’s a calendar that counts down the days until Christmas. Each day a small gift or message is given.

My husband grew up with a handmade Advent Calendar. He told me when we were engaged that he wanted one for his family to use. Since we got married 6 weeks after I graduated from college and I had no money, I made one for my wedding present to him. As I was hanging it up today, I thought I would make one for you, my readers. Over the next 25 days, I’ll share my scripts with you from two of my favorite products as well as tips on how to create your own.

SQL Prompt By Red Gate

One of my favorite tool companies is Red Gate out of the UK. I not only love their tools, but I love their service. They care not only about their products, but what we think of their products and how we use their products. Over the last year I have had the honor to be part of their FoRG group (Friends of Red Gate). As a FoRG member, I get to give my suggestions directly to the project managers and others seeking insight from the FoRG group. Don’t think you can’t give your two cents too. Red Gate loves to hear from everyone. In fact, at PASS Summit this year they dedicated their whole back wall to receiving sticky notes for ideas on how to improve all their products. By the end of the conference, it was quite full.

SQL Prompt was the first of their products that I used. I use it just about every time I’m in SSMS, and have been very fortunate to be able to use it at my new job. (It’s very frustrating when I can’t use it.)

SQL Prompt does a couple of things for you. The most obvious thing that it does, is help you write SQL faster. Yes, SQL 2012 has intellisence, but SQL Prompt has a better version. The second feature that I love is the code standardization options. There are several settings and shortcut keys that you can use to standardize your code. The third feature that I love and will be featuring in my SQL Advent Calendar, are templatized scripts (called snippets). The snippets are accessed by keystrokes that you specify. A library of snippets comes with SQL Prompt, but you can also add your own.

ER/Studio Data Architect by Embarcadero

Embarcadero has a very wide range of products, and one of those is on my favorite tool list. I’m sure you can guess what it is based on my last couple of posts here and here. It’s Embarcadero’s ER/Studio Data Architect.

ER/Studio Data Architect is a database modeling tool. It’s a great product to use as the master copy of a database schema. It also has the ability to create scripts for different versions of databases. This came in real handy when I needed to script a database model for both SQL 2000 and SQL 2012.

One of the features that I really like ER/Studio Data Architect, is the ability to create and use macros inside the product to update the database model. All you need to know is VB script and the Object Model.

So, without further ado…..

Day 1 – Placeholders in SQL Prompt snippets

You may ask why I like the SQL Prompt snippets since SQL 2012 has a template library that is very similar. There are currently 8 reasons why I like them. ($DATE$, $TIME$, $USER$, $PASTE$, $MACHINE$, $CURSOR$, $SERVER$, and $DBNAME$) These are the 8 placeholders that can be used in conjunction with the snippets. As each name suggests, they represent a piece of information that is unique. $USER$ will be replaced by the name of the User logged into SSMS and $DBNAME$ will be replaced by the name of the currently active database. $PASTE$ will grab what is in your copy buffer and $CURSOR$ will move the cursor to the that location in your snippet. (An important thing to remember is that the placeholders are case sensitive.)

Note: There are 8 placeholders with version 6.1, which is the current version. Other versions may have a different set with different functionality. Visit the documentation for the version you have to see the current list.

To create an SSMS placeholder you use the syntax below.

<X,Y,Z>
  • Where X is the name of the placeholder and should be very descriptive. It will be viewed in a dialog box with all the other placeholders
  • Y is the data type of the placeholder. Most of the time I use “string”
  • Z is the default value for the placeholder and is optional, but you still need to have the third parameter position available. This is where you can really leverage the SQL Prompt Placeholders.

In the example below I created three SSMS placeholders and I use three different SQL Prompt placeholders. Two of the SSMS placeholders are identical, so they will appear as one placeholder to the user. Notice that $DBNAME$ is used inside the SSMS placeholder. This will allow the current database name to be the default for that placeholder.

USE <Database Name,string,$DBNAME$>
GO

--Created by: $USER$ on $DATE$

SELECT
     name
FROM
     <Database Name,string,$DBNAME$>.sys.objects AS o
WHERE
     name LIKE '<Search Criteria,string,>%'

To use the code above, copy it into a new snippet in SQL Prompt.

  1. Open up the Snippet Manager.
  2. Click the New button.
  3. Name the snippet TNS.
  4. Set the description Table Name Search.
  5. Save the script.

In a new query window type TNS+. Notice that your SQL credentials were put in place of $USER$. Today’s date was put in place of $DATE$ and the current database was put in place of $DBNAME$.

AdventCalendar2013Day1_Img1

Now let’s leverage the SSMS placeholders by typing ++M. You can now accept the default values, or you can change them. After you click OK, you can run the script.

That’s a wrap

I hope you enjoyed the first day of 2013 SQL Advent Calendar.

Note: Since I live near the end of the GMT day, the calendar will be done based on the PST zone.

Next Post In Series:

SQL Advent Calendar 2013 – Day 2 – Macro to Remove Common Fields in ER Studio Data Architect

 

Category: ER/Studio Data Architect, Red Gate, Script, T-SQL | Tags: , , , , ,
| November 21, 2013
2 comments

SQL Bacon Bits No. 2 – Dropping Temporary SQL Objects

Bacon file8121243652304This is my second SQL Tidbit and I have already decided to change the name to SQL Bacon Bits. Why? Because it’s my blog and I can. These quick posts are supposed to be simple and yummy, just like bacon.

Today’s featured product is ER/Studio Data Architect.

The Need

Whenever a change script is created from an ER/Studio Data Architect model, the original objects are kept with a date time stamp as part of their name. These original copies are then left for the developer to determine if they are still needed.

When I first came across these objects in my database, I was flummoxed. “Why would they leave such a mess?”, I asked myself. But they didn’t leave a mess. They were actually being considerate. Sometimes the SQL Objects have issues because of the changes being brought into the database. Since the original objects are kept as back up copies, you can go look at them before deleting them.

So how do you get rid of these objects once you have confirmed they are no longer needed?

Well, you create a script. This script is based on a version that my co-worker Chris Henry created. I’ve added to it and generalized it.

Let’s break it down

I found that ER/Studio Data Architect uses UTC as the time for the timestamp on the temporary objects. (That drove me nuts until I figured it out!). By using the GetUTCDate() function you’ll be able to programmatically create the date to filter the SQL objects that you want to get rid of.

DECLARE @Date AS varchar(10)

SELECT
    @date = '%' + CONVERT(varchar(2), MONTH(GETUTCDATE())) 
				+ ( CASE 
						WHEN DAY(GETUTCDATE()) < 10 THEN '0'
                        ELSE ''
                        END ) 
				+ CONVERT(varchar(2), DAY(GETUTCDATE())) 
				+ CONVERT(varchar(4), YEAR(GETUTCDATE())) + '%'

 

I then use UNION ALL to join the different types of objects with the proper DROP syntax.

SELECT
    'ALTER TABLE [' + s.name + '].[' + p.name + '] DROP CONSTRAINT  [' + o.name + ']' AS ItemToDrop
	,o.type

FROM
    sys.objects AS o
	JOIN sys.objects AS p ON o.parent_object_id = p.object_id
	JOIN sys.schemas AS s ON p.schema_id = s.schema_id
WHERE
    o.name LIKE @date
    AND o.type = 'F'

UNION ALL

SELECT
    'Drop Trigger [' + s.name + '].[' + o.name + ']' AS ItemToDrop
	,o.type
FROM
    sys.objects AS o
	JOIN sys.objects AS p ON o.parent_object_id = p.object_id
	JOIN sys.schemas AS s ON p.schema_id = s.schema_id
WHERE
    o.name LIKE @date
    AND o.type = 'TR'

UNION ALL

SELECT
    'drop table [' + s.name + '].[' + o.name + ']' AS ItemToDrop
	,o.type
FROM
    sys.objects AS o
	JOIN sys.schemas AS s ON o.schema_id = s.schema_id
WHERE
    o.name LIKE @date
    AND o.type  ='U'

UNION ALL

SELECT
    'drop proc [' + s.name + '].[' + o.name + ']' AS ItemToDrop
	,o.type
FROM
    sys.objects AS o
	JOIN sys.schemas AS s ON o.schema_id = s.schema_id
WHERE
    o.name LIKE @date
    AND o.type  ='P'
ORDER BY
	o.type

 

After it executes, I copy the statements out of the results pane and execute them.

Bonus Tip

Since this is a script you’ll use again and again…and again. You’ll want to turn it into a template. Two of the many ways to do that are as follows.

  • SSMS comes with a Template Browser. You can save your script in the Template Browser for future use. Each you need it, simply double click on the script in the Template Browser and copy will be created for you. By adding the following code at the top of the script, you can use Ctrl+M to pick which database you want to use.
USE <DatabaseName, string,>
GO

 

  • If you are a SQL Prompt addict like me, then  you can add your script as a snippet. Instead of adding the code I just showed you, add the following code and a default database name will appear as a default when you use Ctrl+M.
USE <DatabaseName, string,$DBNAME$>
GO

You can download full script from here.

SQL Bacon Bits

SQL Tidbits: No.1– Outputting from ER/Studio Data Architect Directly to SQL Server Management Studio

 

Category: ER/Studio Data Architect, Script, SQL Bacon Bits, SQL Tidbits, T-SQL, Tech Tidbits | Tags: , , , , , , ,
| November 15, 2013
2 comments

SQL Tidbits: No.1 – Outputting from ER/Studio Data Architect Directly to SQL Server Management Studio

I’ve been tossing around some ideas for my blog. One of which is to provide a quick tech tip… or a SQL Tidbit. The idea is to keep me writing until I get used to blogging EVERY week. Hopefully in a few months I’ll have more SQL Tidbits than there are Grape Leaves in this picture.

So let’s get started with the first SQL Tidbit.

In the beginning…

I’ve been using ER/Studio Data Architect for a few years now. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s used for modeling and maintaining database schemas. I love this product, but I’m not a big fan of the default application (Universal ISQL) that the change script is sent to. Mostly because Ctrl+A doesn’t work in the query window and I find it clunky.

At my previous company, one of my coworkers created an application that ran in the background. When it detected that a change script was ready to be deployed, it would capture it and open it in SSMS.

But there is an easier way

When I started at my current job, I was setting all the defaults that I like in ER/Studio Data Architect and I stumbled upon this setting that I didn’t know existed. This setting lets YOU pick the editor for the change scripts to be deployed to. I changed the path to SSMS and I didn’t have to see the default application any more. (WIN!)

To get to the setting, do the following.

1. Click on the Tools/Options menu item.

2. Click on the Tools tab on the right hand side of the dialog box.

3. Change the ISQL Path setting.

 

And that’s a wrap

In the next SQL Tidbit I’ll share a script for cleaning up temporary SQL objects.

Category: Database Modeling, ER/Studio Data Architect, SQL Tidbits, T-SQL, Tools | Tags: , , ,
| November 4, 2013
2 comments

Once Upon a Time, In A PASS Summit Far Away

Once upon a time, in a PASS Summit far away, there was a princess named Buttercup. When she turned twenty something her father introduced her to SQL Society in grand style. There were many sessions that she had to attend and many parties. Everyone loved her.

dsc_0461

One night there was a wonderful party full of singing and dancing. Everyone was having such a swell time.

SummitStory2013_-006

Princess Buttercup had heard about the party. Her father had forbidden her to go because it was well known that SQL Hippo was known to hang out there. Princess Buttercup didn’t listen to her father though. She set up some Powershell scripts to make it look like she was doing homework and headed out. When she arrived at the party she met three suspicious looking attendees. They were asking her all sorts of database questions.

SummitStory2013_-003

After a few hours had passed, Tim heard the three attendees talking about princess Buttercup, so he went looking for her. He couldn’t find her anywhere and became concerned. He tried to get everyone’s attention and said, “Hey everyone! Where’s princess Buttercup? Has anyone seen her? Maybe the notorious Oracle gang has made off with her! We should send someone out to find her!”

SummitStory2013_-005

At that very moment, the notorious Scary DBA himself entered the party. He sauntered over to Tim, looked down at him, and said, “I’ll go search for her!”

SummitStory2013_

And without another word he jumped into his really cool car to head out!

SummitStory2013_-015

Tim ran after him, and yelled, “WAIT!” you have to get your eyes checked first so that you don’t miss any clues”

SummitStory2013_-005

So, before the Scary DBA could head out in his really cool car, he stopped to get his eyes checked by Dr. Emmett Brown. He told the Scary DBA, “If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour… You’re gonna see some serious shit.” Then he put his hand on the Scary DBA’s shoulder and told him, “So if you don’t want to go blind, keep it under 88 miles per hour son.”

SummitStory2013_-010

The next morning, the Scary DBA headed out looking for clues, and he found some scribbled on the sidewalk. He knew they would lead him to the infamous SQL Gator.

SummitStory2013_-008SummitStory2013_-008 SummitStory2013_-008

EdThe Scary DBA followed the clues to a little bar in UpTown where SQL Gator was known to linger on Sunday nights. He wasn’t disappointed either. In the very back of the bar, he found SQL Gator. With a great big knowing grin on his face, SQL Gator said, “I hear you’ve been looking for GrantPrincess Buttercup.”

The Scary DBA replied, “Why yes I am. Do you know anything? I’m not leaving until you spill the beans.”

SQL Gator chuckled and took a sip of his drink. “Your execution plans might be the fastest in town, but this is my town and you don’t scare me. “ He paused for a moment. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll help you out this once, because I like Princess Buttercup.“ SQL Gator looked behind him to make sure he wasn’t being watched and whispered, “Go see the Quiz Bowl council. They’re overseen by The SQL Agent Man and Dr SQL. Maybe they can point you in the right direction.”

The Scary DBA looked SQL Gator in the eye and said, “You better not be leading me astray, or I’ll sic my parameter sniffing dogs on you.”

The Scary DBA jumped into his really cool car and headed over to the see the council. It took two hours, but he was finally brought before them.

SummitStory2013_-002

They told him in order to finish his quest, he would have to find the Knights who say Ni.

FirstTimerBuddies

After many nights of searching, he stumbled upon a great battle and watched with much interest from above. The battle seemed to stand still at times, but finally it came to a gruesome conclusion.

SummitStory2013_-012

He walked down to the battleground searching for the survivors of the Knights Who Say Ni. The Scary DBA came across seven knights in kilts and asked, “Are you the Knights Who Say Ni?”

Knight one replied, “We are now no longer the Knights who say Ni.” Knight two hastily added, “NI.” The other knights shushed him. Knight one ignored his brethren and in a strong voice announced, “ We are now the Knights who say… “Ekki-Ekki-Ekki-Ekki-PTANG. Zoom-Boing. Z’nourrwringmm.”

SummitStory2013_-016

The Scary DBA was very confused and started to get frustrated when he was approached by a Jedi Microsoft Certified Master. The Jedi whispered in a haunting voice, “These are not the kilts you are looking for.”

SummitStory2013_-014

“Look to the east where the SQL Sisters live. They lured princess Buttercup away from the party with promises of chocolate and faster queries.” Then he vanished.

JulieAndMickeyMentors

It took some time, but the Scary DBA was able to track down the kidnappers. He cornered them in the community zone and had them arrested.

SummitStory2013_-013

The Scary DBA was so pleased to see that Princess Buttercup had not been harmed. Princess Buttercup had him kneel before her and she dubbed him Sir Knight of the Red Gate.

SummitStory2013_-004

That night there was much rejoicing at the return of their beloved princess Buttercup.

SummitStory2013_-007

The End

 

No Database Developers were injured in the making of this tale. 99% of the pictures were taken by Pat Wright. Please visit his website for the originals and other great pictures.

Category: Community, SQL Family, SQL Ficiton, SQL PASS, T-SQL | Tags: , , , , ,
| October 30, 2013
4 comments

PASS Summit 2013 in Summary

PASSFlagMy second PASS Summit concluded a week ago. It was just as amazing as my first, but also completely different. It’s like trying to compare an orange and a mandarin. The differences weren’t just related to the different locations. The differences came with how many people I already knew, even if I only knew them as a twitter friend. Last year I knew less than 10 people at the beginning of the conference. This year I knew over a 100 people personally before the conference started and by the end of the conference I had at the very least doubled that.

Side note: Please don’t be bummed if I don’t list your name below. If I listed everyone I met at Summit, this post would look like the book of Numbers in the Bible (and be just as exciting). I enjoyed my time with everyone, but can only mention a few.
Summit BuddyMelissaAndMickey

My absolute favorite part of PASS Summit is meeting people and networking with them. With 5000 people attending Summit this year and 1400 of which were First Timers, I had ample supply of new people to meet. Last year, I participated in the First Timer’s program as a First-Timer. Joe Fleming (t), my “Summit buddy” really helped me get my bearings before attending the Summit and helped with questions that I had throughout the Summit. I so strongly believe in this program, that I signed up to be a “Summit Buddy” myself this year. I’m so glad that I did, because it let me start networking before I even arrived in Charlotte. I was assigned five First-Timers and immediately started sending them emails on how to prepare for Summit. I also had them send a bit of information to our little first-timers team including a picture so that we would be able to recognize each other all week. Along the way, I even picked up two others.

I did find it difficult for us to coordinate meeting each other as a group though. Mostly due to my various volunteer duties and meetings that were during the prime time to meet. While the whole group couldn’t meet, I did run into half my group throughout the week, and was able to hang out with David Maxwell (b|t) and Melissa Chen at various events. Melissa even shared with me that she loved the emails I sent her so she shared them with her team at work who were attending Summit, but didn’t have a “Summit Buddy”. (Loved that!)

Side note: I do think we need a different name than Summit Buddy. I think Summit Mentor, or SQL Big Sister and SQL Big Brother sound a bit better.
SushiNightExisting Relationships

PASS Summit is a wonderful place to spend more time with SQL Family. The downside is there is not enough time to spend quality time with EVERYONE. So, I decided before Summit that since there was no way I can see and talk to everyone, that I would try my best and leave it at that.

This year I really enjoyed meeting all my Twitter friends. You know, the ones you have been talking to for months, but have no idea what their real names are and half the time you don’t even know what they look like because they have a coffee cup for a “mug shot”… Speaking of Father Jack (b|t), I really enjoyed getting to hang out with him all week with all of our Australian friends. It’s funny how some “in person” time can alter a relationship and make it more meaningful. I also enjoyed spending time with Richie Rump (b|t) and tweeting with him during the Keynote speeches on the first day.
This year I found myself hanging out more with my international SQL Family members, than I did last year. I shared many meals and drinks and had wonderful conversations with Julie Koesmarno (b|t), Martin Cairney (t), Father Jack (b|t), Rob Farley (b|t), Scott Stauffer (b|t), and Mladen Prajdic (b|t) . I miss them all terribly. I also enjoyed my time with Maria Zakourdaev (b|t) from Isreal. I remembered having breakfast with her last year on Friday morning and she was so quiet. This year it was like watching a flower bloom. I can’t wait to see her again next year.

GrantAndMickey

One of MANY favorite memories in Charlotte was getting to spend some time with my mentor Grant Fritchey (b|t). We rarely get to see each other since we have three time zones between us and are usually with a large crowd of people when we are at the same event. I enjoyed having dinner with him and a few friends Monday night after SQL in the City, getting to say “hi” here and there all week, and finally getting a whole, uninterrupted hour of his time on Friday for us to talk shop.

New Relationships

I don’t want you to think I spent the whole week just hanging out with people I knew. I purposefully found people I didn’t know and introduced myself. I now have many new friends on my SQL Family list. Here are some of the highlights.

· I was introduced to Paul White (b|t) and had the pleasure of talking to him about SQL Sentry Plan Explorer.

· Someone introduced me to Ola Hallengren (b). We enjoyed a couple of different conversation, but our first conversation was at a Karaoke bar and it was about the song Mickey by Toni Basil which was also sung by Swedish popular music singer Carola Häggkvist. (Tim, put that in the Quizbowl next year!)

MickeyAndJK

· I actually met Bradley Ball (b|t) and Ben DeBow (t) two weeks before Summit. All three of us presented at Dev Connections in Las Vegas with several other amazing speakers, but at Summit I got to attend both of their sessions and spend some extra time getting to know them.

· I also enjoyed several great conversations with JK Wood (b|t), Jamey Johnston (t), and Wayne Sheffield (b|t) just to name a few of the amazing people I met.

MickeyAndMartin.jpgLocation

I will admit, I was bummed we were going to be in Charlotte this year, but looking back, I’m glad we were there. I still miss Seattle and can’t wait to go back next year, but there were some great advantages to Charlotte. It was easy to find dinner fairly close to the evening events and I only needed a taxi on one night. The down side was the places to eat were more expensive, and their scotch selection was dismal… Except at The Black Finn…they have Oban (pronounced “Oh-bin”).

I did absolutely love the two places I went to for SQL Karaoke, especially since they had room to dance. I even danced with my good friend, and fellow SQL Cruiser Neil Hambry (b|t).

Getting InvolvedJulieAndMickeyMentors

You may have noticed that I’m an extrovert and I doesn’t sit still. This year I was asked by Tim Ford (b|t), to be on a team with Julie Koesmarno (b|t) in the Quizbowl. We paired up with Mike Donnelly (b|t). We had such a great time, even when we were down by -1700 points and Tim put me on a time out for answering a question (very) badly. The good news is, we bounced back laughing all way and ended up coming in second place which won Mike a gift card.

I also enjoyed being a Summit Buddy, which I wrote about above. I plan on doing that again next year.

I didn’t stop there either, I volunteered in the Community Zone on Friday which I think was the easiest thing I’ve ever done. I wish I could hang out there all day! The community zone is a great place to hang out while you charge your electrical devices. It’s set up to encourage talking. Anything from find out where the closest User Group is in your area for engaging with Andy Warren (b|t) about mentoring programs. I even participated in a Star Wars Flash Mob at the Community Zone.

PASS_Summit_2013_WIT-1But the cherry on top of my volunteering at Summit, was moderating the Women in Technology (WIT) panel. Our WIT Virtual chapter spent months preparing for the luncheon which hosted over 750 attendees. This was all possible due to our sponsor SQLSentry. (Thank you!) The topic was Beyond Stereotypes: Equality, Gender Neutrality, and Valuing Team Diversity. This topic is near to my heart since I’ve been excluded for various reasons throughout my career and even in my childhood. The panel discussion was streamed on PASStv so there is a 60 minute recording that you can watch here. I truly enjoyed moderating the panel and hope that they will let me do it again next year.

Sessions

I did actually attend sessions, and I enjoyed all of them. My favorite one was Skewed Data, Poor Cardinality Estimates, and Plans Gone Bad by Kimberly Tripp (b|t) whom I admit to now having a Geek Crush on. She spoke on my favorite topic and I can’t wait to listen to it again here.

I took both of Jes Borland’s (b|t) classes. I took Index Methods You’re Not Using to validate what I already knew about indexes and I’m glad I did, because I learned a few new things.

I also took a class that was out of my comfort zone. Data Internals Deep Dive was given by my friend Bradley Ball (b|t), who incidentally is a great speaker and I am in total awe of his knowledge. I learned about extents and I watched him teach us how to decode Hex and binary data. I found the session quite fascinating.

Thanks for All the FishJulieAndMickeyFriday

I do want to take this time to thank all the volunteers, speakers, and sponsors that help make PASS Summit educational, fun, affordable, and just plain awesome. I also want to thank my SQL Sister, Julie Koesmarno for being an awesome roomie and friend.

Side note: I’ve been going through Summit withdrawals all week and am eager to attend all the SQL Saturdays I can to feed my SQL Family addiction until next year’s PASS Summit.
Category: Community, SQL Family, SQL PASS | Tags: , , , , ,
| October 23, 2013
6 comments

My First Book: SQL Server 2012 Reporting Services Blueprints

I am very pleased to announce that Marlon Ribunal (b|t) and I have just had our first book published by Packt Publishing. You can pre-order it here. It will soon be available on Amazon and other on-line retailers.

Our step-by-step book shows you how to create reports from beginning to end by following a fictional character, John Kirkland, while he creates several different kinds of reports and deploys them into production.

Category: T-SQL |
| October 21, 2013
One comment

Prelude To My PASS Summit Summary

Captain’s Log, day one (beep, beep). I have landed on a strange planet. Scotch is
not served with the evening meals and singing out loud is forbidden by the young
red-head who keeps calling me “mom”. No one seems to speak our home
language of SQL, so I must translate my stories from the PASS Summit mother
ship. I have been informed that tomorrow I am supposed to operate a machine
called a “car”. I am to take to take another young female (who looks just like me)
to her school and then proceed to a place called “my job”. I hope they speak SQL
there.

Category: SQL PASS | Tags: , , , ,
| October 12, 2013
Comments Off on Dev Connections – Demos and Slides Are Available

Dev Connections – Demos and Slides Are Available

Thanks to all the Dev Connection attendees who came to my class. I have posted the slides, demos, and demo database on my Resources page.

Category: Download Announcement, SSRS, T-SQL | Tags: , , , , , , ,
| October 8, 2013
One comment

T-SQL Tuesday #47: SWAG And A Hit

Kendal Van Dyke (b|t) is hosting this month’s T-SQL Tuesday blog party. The party was started by Adam Machanic (b|t) in December of 2009.  The topic this month is a fun one, just like last month. Kendal wants us to brag about our favorite SWAG.

Wow, my favorite SWAG. Only one? Can’t do that. So I will give you my top 3.

Number 3 on the list

Tim Ford (b|t) gives the best All Inclusive Package of SWAG when you partake in his SQL Cruise conference (b). When I went on SQL Cruise this past January curtsey of SQL Sentry (b) (Thanks guys for paying for my classes!), we received the coolest fabric cooler. Inside this cool bag, was more awesome SWAG. There was a beach towel, several gifts from various vendors, and the coolest little multi-tool. (I unfortunately learned the hard lesson that multi-tools can’t be part of carry on luggage. Sad Panda.)

I use this bag when ever I need a simple cooler, which is ever SQL Saturday. I have so many food allergies, that I usually need to bring something for me to munch on. This bag does the trick.

Number 2 on the list

The PASS Summit 2012 backpack. I love this backpack. It’s sitting next to me right now while I type this post at the Las Vegas airport. This backpack is comfortable to wear and full of great pockets. My absolute favorite pocket, is the little pocket right under the handle. It’s great for putting my phone and wallet.

This bag is my laptop’s home. Timmy my Think Geek monkey gets to ride on the side of the bag, and my laptop gets to ride in the center. I can quickly store all my odds and ends for my speaking needs.

 

And Number 1 on the list

When I spoke at my first SQL Saturday in Silicon Valley (b), the speakers weren’t given speaker shirts, but were given jackets. The jackets were made by Port Authority and are absolutely wonderful.

Being that Southern California doesn’t “really” ever get cold, this jacket is now my new “winter” jacket…which means I wear it a couple of times a year.

 

Thanks for all the fish

Thanks go out to Kendal Van Dyke for hosting this month’s T-SQL Tuesday blog party. Please visit his website at http://www.kendalvandyke.com.

Category: SQL PASS, SQL Saturday, SWAG, T-SQL, T-SQL Tuesday | Tags: , , ,
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