James works at Microsoft as a big data and data warehousing solution architect where he has been for most of the last eleven years. Before that he was an independent consultant working as a Data Warehouse/Business Intelligence architect and developer. He is a prior SQL Server MVP with over 40 years of IT experience. Check out his book Deciphering Data Architectures: Choosing Between a Modern Data Warehouse, Data Fabric, Data Lakehouse, and Data Mesh.
Project Apollo is a new feature in CTP3 of SQL Server 2012 (code name of “Denali”) that enables a new columnstore index that offers 10-100x performance improvements for a star join or similar query. Apollo brings together the in-memory columnstore … Continue reading →
Here is a tip that could make you much more productive: At home, I have a desktop computer with dual-monitors (via a HDMI connection and a DVI connection with 1920×1080 resolution. One monitor is 24-inch, the other 21-inch). I also have … Continue reading →
Here is a got-ya that happened to me. In SQL Server I want to generate a script of all the tables in case I need to re-create them. This is usually the case in a development environment when I’m building … Continue reading →
Here is a common got-ya. You are modifying the cube dimension security for a role-playing dimension. You make the changes and the cube processes successfully. But when you try to connect to the cube, you get the following error message: The ‘XXX’ attribute in … Continue reading →
“vNext” is the codename Microsoft has chosen for the next version of the Visual Studio. A big feature is improving the application lifecycle management (ALM) process. Check out this pdf “Visual Studio VNext: Application Lifecyle Managment” or the video The Future of Microsoft Visual … Continue reading →
According to the post SQL Server “Denali” Experts–We Need You! that asks for your feedback on the Microsoft certifications for the next version of SQL Server, there will be seven exams: Four certification exams are planned for SQL Server 2012, code … Continue reading →
CTP3 of SQL Server 2012, code named “Denali”, was made available recently, and it offers a lot of new features for SSIS. Some of my favorites are: SSIS Projects, which is an encapsulation of multiple packages into a single unit … Continue reading →
As I play with the recently released CTP3 of SQL Server 2012, code name of Denali, I wanted to point something out about installing SSAS, since there is now two “modes” you can choose from due to the the new BI Semantic Model … Continue reading →
Microsoft has released the final build of SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1. It includes fixes from SQL Server 2008 R2 RTM Cumulative Updates 1 through 6, and some new features introduced since those cumulative updates. Release notes for SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 is available here. SP1 adds several … Continue reading →
When you open a SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) package in SSIS Designer or add components to a package, SSIS by default checks the data sources used by the various components. This process for SSIS package validation ensures that the … Continue reading →
CTP3 of SQL Server Code 2012, code name “Denali”, was made available for download this morning. You can download the 32-bit and 64-bit versions here. Official announcement from the SQL Server team blog and the announcement from the Analysis Services … Continue reading →
If you are using environment variables in SSIS when using package configuration, chances are you will run into a situation where you add or change the value of an environment variable, and SSIS does not recognize it. There is a … Continue reading →
If you are new to Business Intelligence (BI) and learn best by watching videos and “playing”, then this course is perfect for you. The SQL Server 2008 R2 Business Intelligence Training Course (SQLInsights) will help you build your first Microsoft Business … Continue reading →
Another whitepaper to add to your “to read” list: SQL Server 2008 R2 Analysis Services Operations Guide This white paper describes how you can test, monitor, capacity plan, and troubleshoot Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services OLAP solutions in SQL Server 2005, … Continue reading →
Power View (code name “Project Crescent”) is a new interactive data exploration and visual presentation experience coming in the next version of SQL Server 2012, code-named “Denali”. It will offer a fun, visual, and powerful drag-and-drop ad hoc reporting experience. It is an web-based end-user … Continue reading →
SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT), codename “Juneau”, is the name for the new SQL Server Development Tool to be released along with the next version of SQL Server 2012, codenamed “Denali“. Its purpose is to provide a single development environment for … Continue reading →
OK, since this conference in is England, it’s a little harder to get to compared to TechEd. No matter, all the videos for this conference are online (65 of them). Take a look at the recorded sessions at http://sqlbits.com/content/Event8. All … Continue reading →
I have always wondered if queries against a SSAS cube while it is processing would be forced to wait the entire time the cube is processing, or just for a few minutes? Or would the query bomb out? Surprisingly, I … Continue reading →
At the recent TechEd North America 2011 conference, details on the next version of SQL Server 2012 (codename “Denali”) were released. Part of those details were an update on the SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) roadmap. The main new feature in … Continue reading →
SQLdiag is a diagnostics collection utility to collect logs and data files from SQL Server that you can use to monitor your servers over time or troubleshoot specific problems with your servers. SQLdiag can collect data from: Windows performance logs, Windows event … Continue reading →