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greek, noun, pron. "archarios" - beginner, learner, neophyte, novice
January 2008 - Posts
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Author: Microsoft
Download: Feature Pack for Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Product Type: Feature pack
Target User: Network administrator
IT Problem: Require updates for SQL Server 2005
DOWNLOAD NOW
About this Download:
Download the November 2005 Feature Pack for Microsoft SQL Server 2005, a collection of standalone install packages that provide additional value for SQL Server 2005.
System Requirements: SQL Server, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP
Download Size: 2.0 MB - 331.8 MB
{ Read the Overview of the Feature Pack }
{ Read Related Topics }
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The first Code Camp that I ever attended has been concluded. Although I did not get the XBox 360 on the raffle draw, I was very happy for the 2 books I got for free a day prior . And how much can you tag on all the knowledge I learned from the sessions I attended? Priceless!
Because Keith Rull picked his "Best Session", I felt obliged to do the same. It is hard to choose which session is the best. Since this is my first time to attend such event, I consider all the sessions to be the the best! I really am thankful to Keith Rull for opening my eyes to the World of Programming. He made me aware that events such as the SoCal Code Camp exists. I am way older than this gentleman but I look up to him for advice. His suggestions and comments really help a lot (thanks, Keith). Alright, I don't want to be all so sappy about this!
Going back to the best session...
If I knew well what Paul Sherrif was talking about, his session on "Data Controls in ASP.NET 3.5" could have been my best session. Sadly, though, I profess my lack of knowledge on the topics discussed. I would say Denny Cherry (MySpace DBA) really caught my attention. We all know that MySpace has one of the biggest and busiest databases in the world basing on the number of transactions, size of the databases, and coverage of audience of the site.
Denny's session on "Service Broker in the Real World" has opened doors for exploration. Some of the Service Broker Concepts Denny discussed were:
Similar to other queuing technologies
Data is processed using SEND and RECEIVE instead of SELECT and INSERT
Data is sent as an XML data in a binary format.
Queues can be processed automatically or on demand
The Service Broker in the Real World is my "Best Session on the SoCal Code Camp 2008"!
Souther California Code Camp 2008
Denny Cherry discussing about SQL Server (what else?!) with participants.
SoCal Code Camp 2008 Registration 
Keith Rull establishing the shot @ Registration 
Paul Sherrif preparing for his next session. [Note: This is a repost from my other blog: http://dbalink.wordpress.com/ - Marlon Ribunal
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I know I wasn't as lucky as Keith on the SoCal Code Camp. Well, he got lots of goodies! But look at what I got: http://blogs.msdn.com/zainnab/archive/2008/01/27/link-luv-contest-winners.aspx
Visual Studio 2008 Backpack & 3 Visual Studio Shirt! (http://blogs.msdn.com/zainnab/archive/2008/01/17/gimme-some-link-luv.aspx)! I'm luvin' it! Part 2 of my SoCal Code Camp summary up next...
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California State University - Fullerton, CA - January 26, 2008 Day # 1
The registration to the event started at around 8:00 AM. I really intended to go to the registration way ahead of most of the attendees (about 700 people according to Keith). So I thought showing up at 15 minutes before 8:00 AM would fulfill that intention. To my surprise, hundreds of people were already lining up to be registered (FREE Registration, sweet!). The main reason why I really wanted to show up early was for the freebies. I really wanted to have that "C# in a Nutshell" book but I was unsuccessful! Keith got a copy of the C# book published by Microsoft. Anyhow, I got two free books and two magazines (yes, read that F-R-E-E!):
"6 Microsoft Office Business Applications For Office Sharepoint Server 2007"
"So that's how: Timesaver, Breakthroughs, & Everyday Genius for 2007 Microsoft Office System"
(The 2 magazines I got were the "Code" and "ASP.Net Pro")
Honestly the only sessions that I have some knowledge of were the SQL Sessions. I attended the "SQL Server Analysis Services" & "Delivering Data Using SQL Server Reporting Services". I had the opportunity to work on some Development ventures in my old company which exposed me to SQL Server and these services. I was kind of exposed also to the Sharepoint Server but attending a session about Sharepoint 2007 is almost alien to me. Sharepoint has really evolved in three years!
It is such a privilege to be able to attend Paul Sherrif's sessions! I have to admit that I was almost listening to him with almost pure ignorance; despite that, I can really appreciate Paul's sessions on "Data Controls in ASP.NET 3.5" and "Testing .NET Apps for the Real World". Let me make this clear, guys, that I am still in my infancy (or prior to that) as far as programming is concerned. So do not expect me to write posts about these .NET sessions that I attended.
The presentation of Lynn Langit about "Data Mining with SQL Server/Excel 2007" has me struck with awe on the Data Mining capability of Excel 2007, specially on Business Analysis. And I am really surprised to hear from a Microsoft insider, such as Lynn, that the "Largest database out there in the real world is not SQL Server [or Oracle for that matter], but Excel." I never looked at Excel that way. I used to believe that Excel as a business tool will go down with history with the advent of products such as Reporting and Analysis Services and their integration to the SQL Server (and all other products provided by other vendors and all other third-party products out there that deal with the same business requirements). That mindset about Excel is gone now. Today, I have learned to respect Excel.
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| Windows XP, Vista, and Mac OS X vulnerability stats for 2007 |
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XP |
Vista |
XP + Vista |
Mac OS X |
| Total extremely critical |
3 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
| Total highly critical |
19 |
12 |
23 |
234 |
| Total moderately critical |
2 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
| Total less critical |
3 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
| Total flaws |
34 |
20 |
44 |
243 |
| Average flaws per month |
2.83 |
1.67 |
3.67 |
20.25 |
X Extremely critical
H Highly critical
M Moderately critical
L Less critical
Source: http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=758
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Most of the people, if not all, who work around the SQL Server know
how to backup their databases by heart. They can even do the task in
their sleep. Some may find this article useful, though.
What we're going to do here is do the 3 backup types: Full, Differential, and Transaction Log Backups.
Here's how to backup a SQL Server Database (suppose we're backing up the AdventureWorks Database):
1. Create a directory: C:\myBackUpDir (you may want to create this in a separate physical disk)
2. Open SSMS, and connect to the instance. Open a new query.
3. Execute a Full Backup:
BACKUP DATABASE AdventureWorks TO DISK = ' C:\myBackUpDir\ADVWRKS.BAK'
4. Since we also want to create a Differential backup, make any
change to one of the tables in the AdventureWorks Database. Next, we
want to backup the Transaction Log and capture the change that has been
made. Execute:
BACKUP LOG AdventureWorks TO DISK = 'C:\myBackUpDir\ADVWRKS01.TRN'
5. Let's just say we want to do another change to the same table on
# 4 [for the purpose of creating our Differential Backup]. To execute a
Differential Backup:
BACKUP DATABASE AdventureWorks TO DISK = 'C:\myBackUpDir\ADVWRKSdiff.BAK' WITH DIFFERENTIAL
6. Since we want to practice backing up with all the 3 types of
backup, we may want to do another change to the same table on # 4. Then
we perform the Full Transaction Log Backup by executing:
BACKUP LOG AdventureWorks TO DISK = 'C:\myBackUPDir\ADVWRKS02.TRN'
To sum up, we have performed the three types of SQL Server 2005
Backups, namely, Full Backup, Differential Backup & Transaction Log
Backup. [this is also posted inmy blog at http://dbalink.wordpress.com - dbalink/marl]
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Convert those SQL and PL/SQL Statements into C#, VB, Java, Delphi, etc! Sample: Microsoft SQL Server SQL: Select FName, LName From Employees Output to Delphi var1 := 'SELECT FNAME,' ;
var1 := var1 + ' LNAME' ;
var1 := var1 + ' FROM EMPLOYEES' ; Since this is online, you do not have to download and install any software. The only downside is when you do not have an access to the internet. Anyhow, here's the link: http://www.orafaq.com/cgi-bin/sqlformat/pp/utilities/sqlformatter.tpl
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[Description from website:]
The Microsoft SQL Server support team uses several internally-written utilities to make it easier to work on a typical customer support case. These utilities may also be useful to database developers and system administrators who work with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and Microsoft SQL Server 2005. The utilities are collectively called the RML Utilities for SQL Server.
With the RML Utilities you can answer questions such as the following:
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Which application, database or login is consuming the most resources, and which queries are responsible for that.
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Whether there were any plan changes for a batch during the time when the trace was captured and how each of those plans performed.
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What queries are running slower in today’s data as compared to a previous set of data.
To download the RML Utilities for SQL Server, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
RML Utilities for SQL Server (x86) - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=7EDFA95A-A32F-440F-A3A8-5160C8DBE926&displaylang=en
RML Utilities for SQL Server (x64) - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B60CDFA3-732E-4347-9C06-2D1F1F84C342&displaylang=en
[Also Posted in my blog http://dbalink.wordpress.com]
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One of the basic tasks of a DBA is to multiplex the Control Files.
One of the biggest reasons why we multiplex control files is to create
backups of the primary control file, which “records the physical
structure of the database.” When the control file is damaged there is
no way you can bring it back to life, unless you have the backup.
Backup of control files must also be stored in a different physical
disk for high availability. Of course, we’re very much aware that there
is such a thing as “disk failure”. The Control File should always be
multiplexed/backed up, as a best practice, each time that Tablespaces
and Redo Log Files are dropped or added. This is also done when a
datafile is renamed.The following is a quick step-by-step for
multiplexing the Control File:
Suppose our SID is called ORCL,
1. Connect to the ORCL Database as SYS (SYSDBA priveleges), then EXECUTE a SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE command
2. Locate the Control File named CONTROL1.CTL (\oracle\product\10.2.0\oradata\ORCL\control01.ctl)
3. Copy the Control File into a different location (different disk);
and rename the copied file with the next number suffix (CONTROL03.CTL,
if you already have CONTROL01.CTL & CONTROL02.CTL). Oracle
Databases should at least have two (2) Control Files.
4. Open the initialization file, initSID.ora (which in our sample is
initORCL.ora, following the standards of best practices in object
naming). The initialization file is located in
ORACLE_BASE\Admin\ORCL\pfile directory (OFA compliant).
5. Add the new, copied file onto the initialization parameter file The new control file is in the “D” drive:
control_files=
(
“C:\oracle\product\10.2.0\oradata\ORCL\control01.ctl”,
“C:\oracle\product\10.2.0\oradata\ORCL\control02.ctl”,
“D:\oracle\product\10.2.0\oradata\ORCL\control03.ctl”
)
6. Close and Save the file; and restart the Database using STARTUP command (MOUNT mode) with the PFILE parameter. [Posted in http://dbalink.wordpress.com, by dbalink/marl]
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Suppose that you need to populate record set from a stored procedure. This is how it's being done:
CREATE PROC NameList
AS
SET NOCOUNT ON
SELECT Emp_FNAME, Emp_LNAME
From Emp_Table
SELECT FName, LName
From Table_of_Names
RETURN
When you execute this Stored Proc, it gives you something like this:
--First Set
Emp_FNAME Emp_LNAME
---------- -------------
John Doe
Jane Ramos
--Second Set
FName LName
---------- -----------
Jack Daniels
Juan Cruz
Suppose you have this Table structure [Target]:
CREATE TABLE dbo.MyNameTable
(First_Name VARCHAR (55),
Last_Name VARCHAR (55) )
You can insert the record set from the stored proc to the target table dbo.MyNameTable like this:
INSERT dbo.MyNameTable (First_Name, LastName)
EXEC NameList
Hope this helps.
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One of the biggest, if not the biggest, obstacle of entry-level job seekers, specially in the area of Database and Business Intelligence, is their lack of experience. I have posted a question in my network in LinkedIN.com about how to accumulate knowledge. I have received the following answers so far:
Question: What is an effective way to accumulate knowledge and credential if you are into BI and Database field?
Pam Barker Waldhelm - Business Intelligence Architect
As in most areas of knowledge, you need a variety of sources and experiences. I'll rattle off a few, but there are many:
* Yes, work in the field, either as a perm employee or a contractor. The most important thing is that you need to be doing development work where you're finding out how to do things, creating new code, solving new issues. Sometimes working as a contractor is a way to quickly accumulate knowledge as contractors usually focus on development tasks only. On the other hand, a support position as a permanent staff member could lead to a development role.
* Read and study on your own. No matter which technology (Oracle/SQL Server/DB2/etc or which area (design/ETL/OLAP/reporting/data mining), there are many books and self-study materials available.
* If you're not already working with your desired database platform in your current job, obtain a developer's edition (often free or very low cost) or eval copy. Try out the software, figure out how to implement a solution. Using some of your books as examples, work through some development tasks.
* Find the blogs and forums that provide the best coverage for your chosen technology and area of interest. Read them regularly. Find out what pain points are being experienced. Read the solutions and try them out on your dev environment. See if you can start contributing answers yourself by researching a problem or 2.
* Network with people working in your chosen technology and area. Find local user groups and professional associations and attend meetings and become active, volunteer These folks can provide local networks that can help a lot.
Most important bit of advice, is to always be thinking "why does it work this way?" Or "can I make it better?" Or "what would happen if I did it this way?" This sense of curiosity will lead you to investigate and learn even more.
Of course, there is also formal training from colleges, technology vendors, and conferences. And certification is always an option.
But there are no "quick" solutions. After all, it still takes a year to accumulate a year's worth of experience. It's your task to make sure that the year's worth of experience is the best year that it can be.
Ray Loftus - Independent Consultant with Information Technology Staffing Expertise
If you are a Full Time Employee, it might be possible for you to get your employer to sponsor your training/education in new technologies since they should want to invest in you. They will probably also bring consultants in on any new projects to leverage their previous experience in the hopes that they can avoid any mistakes that were discovered on someone else's time.
Make sure that you are able to participate in a hands-on role in whatever work that is done. As a staffing executive, I have witnessed candidates that were rejected because they supervised the people who actually did the project and did not acquire the actuall skill.
Finally, spend some time on your own to research an emerging product or tool that you find both interesting and also commercially viable. For instance, you might want to jump on the PerformancePoint wave as an early adopter, or you might want to focus on BusinessObjects as that will now lead to SAP exposure since they were bought by SAP.
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Description:
"LINQPad is also a terrific tool for learning LINQ: it comes preloaded with 200 examples from the recently released C# 3.0 in a Nutshell. There's no better way to experience the coolness of LINQ and functional programming."
Learn More and Download the Tool here: http://www.linqpad.net/
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My New Year's Resolution List:
1. Prepare For The MCTS-SQL Server 2005 Certification (70-431)
1.a Self-Paced Training (Training Kit + Videos Lessons)
2. Prepare For The OCA Exam (1Z0-042)
2.a Review Oracle 10g Architecture and Administration
2.b Attend Class For the Oracle 10g Backup and Recovery
3. Target For 2008: OCA & MCTS
They say that if you want to achieve something, like a goal, the first thing that you want to do is to write it down. I have always procrastinated learning the things that I really want to learn. But somehow I need to start somewhere. There is much to learn. If I want to be a developer, why not jump in into the programming bandwagon immediately? My career strategy is to pin down a DBA position first then I can do the programming from there since I really want to follow the Business Applications Developement Path. I believe that future applications will be data-driven. Why? Because Business, as we know it, is data-driven. Business Intelligence is now becoming a big thing.
I know the sole purpose of blogs here in DevPinoy is to impart real-life knowledge for those who seek it. With your indulgence let me use this as a journal of my rendezvouz with the programming world. I may not impart the much sought knowledge on diversed technologies that the DevPinoy Community caters to, but I have an inkling that somehow someone out there is at the same stage as I am -- getting my feet wet on the programming waters and trying to roll my sleeves as I watch over the shoulders of those who are already doing it.
I would always remember what my professor in C++ would always say in our class: " If you keep company with Losers, You will be one; so you'd better hang out with the Winners! ". I have always believed in that dictum since I first heard it.
That is why I am here in this community.
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