Category Archives: SQL Schoolhouse
SQL Schoolhouse, SQL Nexus Version
With a big holiday weekend, I thought I would continue our series on the SQL Nexus tool and pass on some excellent resources for our continued journey to learn. The following links are all great resources that will help us better understand how to use the SQL Nexus tool and related utilities. Enjoy and have a safe weekend!
- Trace Reporting with RML Utilities on SQL Server Pro magazine
- RML Utilities on Troubleshooting SQL
- Stress Testing your database engine using RML utilities on SQL Server Geeks
- Free SQL Server Tools, Software and Utilities
- Use SQL Server replay tools to reproduce and resolve customer issues by SQL CAT
- SQL Nexus articles on Troubleshooting SQL
- A blog showing SQL Nexus in action by Elisabeth Redei
SQL Schoolhouse
With a busy weekend, I thought I would pass on an excellent resource for your learning: SQL Server Pro – Your database authority. This is the magazine formerly known as SQL Server Magazine, with a new name. There is a ton of great content for you to peruse with excellent monthly articles by big SQL names. Enjoy!
[Editing note: this should have published May 12th but I inadvertently set the publish date to the thirteenth. My apologies.]
Saturday SQL Schoolhouse
SQL Schoolhouse!
Today’s installment of the Saturday SQL Schoolhouse is brought to you by the fine folks over at PASS, the Professional Association for SQL Server. I discovered this gem yesterday while poking around on their website and was quite amazed that I had never noticed it before. Drumroll please! It is a comprehensive SQL Blog Directory that even has an OPML file to load all of the listed blogs into your RSS feeder automagically.
Curiously, my blog was not listed, which is ok because since I did not know about it then how could I submit my site. My site was submitted via e-mail last night, so hopefully it is there when you read this blog. Enjoy!
Question of the Day Learning
Watson the Supercomputer on Jeopardy
One of my favorite morning activities when reading various SQL Server e-mails is to answer the SQL Server Central Question of the Day (QotD). These are delivered to me in the daily Newsletter (see today’s for a sample) and I thoroughly enjoy them.
I average around 60-65% correct which sounds low but the average for the site is 59%. Many of these questions are challenging and many are in areas that I have never worked with, but it is interesting and a good learning experience. How do you stack up?
In case you did not already know, you can subscribe to the SQL Server Central Newsletter in your profile when you register on the site. Enjoy!
Interview with the Resource Database
Recently I had a chance to catch up with the Resource Database, which is rare given his reclusive ways as of late. Today, I bring you the answers you demand.
Me: So mssqlsystemresource, can I call you Resource Database?
RD: Sure, just keep in mind I won’t return your queries.
Me: So Resource Database, what have you been doing with yourself lately? Where have you been? What have you been up to?
RD: Oh, just hanging out behind the scenes. I don’t like the limelight, I leave that to my friend, TempDB. Most administrators don’t even know I exist and I like it that way.
Me: Shouldn’t administrators know about you?
RD: NOOOOO! Next thing you know they will want to query me for data, try to change my settings, and next thing you know they will corrupt me! I’m not having that. This is all off the record, right?
Me: Ah, sure. So what secrets are you hiding?
RD: I mostly work by keeping all the secrets of the system objects, you know sys.objects, I keep all of that stored and sealed up.
Me: Wait a minute? We see those in the sys schema of every database. What gives?
RD: Logically you are correct but physically you are incorrect. They are mine. How else do you think you can upgrade SQL Server? By letting everyone mess with those objects? I don’t think so! This interview is over! I’m outta here!
Me: Well there you have it folks. The mysterious Resource Database remains mysterious. Enjoy!
Saturday SQL Schoolhouse
SQL Schoolhouse!
Today’s installment of the Saturday SQL Schoolhouse is brought to you by all of our fine friends who offer free eBooks for SQL Server. Below you will see a compiled list of free SQL Server eBooks available for your download. Enjoy!
- Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012: PDF, ePUB, MOBI
- Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2: PDF, XPS
- Troubleshooting SQL Server: A Guide for the Accidental DBA : PDF
- SQL Server Statistics: PDF
- Brad’s Sure Guide to Maintenance Plans: PDF
- Protecting SQL Server Data: PDF
- SQL Server Tacklebox: PDF
- How to Become an Exceptional DBA: PDF
- SQL Server Stumpers Vol.5: PDF
- Mastering SQL Server Profiler: PDF
Enjoy!
Saturday SQL Schoolhouse in Honor of World Backup Day
SQL Schoolhouse!
Today’s installment of the Saturday SQL Schoolhouse is brought to you in honor of World Backup Day, a day every DBA should celebrate! However, DBAs know that World Backup Day should be practiced daily! Here are some great backup articles for you to peruse. Enjoy!
- Introduction to Backup and Restore Strategies in SQL Server by MSDN
- SQL Server Backup Best Practices by Michael Otey (Blog)
- Questions About SQL Server Backups | SQL Aloha by Brad McGehee (Blog | Twitter)
- Backup & Restore by Kimberly L. Tripp (Blog | Twitter)
- Backup Resources | Home Of The Scary DBA by Grant Fritchey (Blog | Twitter)
- In Recovery… | Backup/Restore by Paul Randal (Blog | Twitter)
Saturday SQL Schoolhouse
SQL Schoolhouse!
Today’s installment of the Saturday SQL Schoolhouse is brought to you by our fine friends across the pond, SQL Bits. One day I would like to attend this conference as I hear that it is quite an event! With the conference aside, this is an excellent SQL Server educational resource as there are all the previous presentations from the past years’ conferences and many of them contain video presentations! Take advantage of this excellent educational opportunity!
Enjoy!
Saturday SQL Schoolhouse
SQL Schoolhouse!
In our first installment of the Saturday SQL Schoolhouse for March, I wanted to share a website that has numerous videos, blog posts and other resources that can teach you some nifty things with SQL Server. The site is run by a husband and wife team, Sean and Jen McCown, called MidnightDBA, check it out.
Also, if you are around late friday evenings they also host a live web show called DBAs@Midnight, where numerous DBAs congregate to chat and interject on topics discussed by Sean and Jen, myself included.
Oh I almost forgot, their newest project is called DBA Roadmap, which is very exciting for the SQL Community. In this project they will outline how to become a good DBA with great career and learning resources.
Enjoy!
Saturday SQL Schoolhouse
SQL Schoolhouse!
In our final installment of the Saturday SQL Schoolhouse for February and in anticipation of the 24 Hours of PASS for Spring 2012, I wanted to share the Fall 2011 Recordings for the 24 Hours of PASS. This is an excellent and comprehensive training resource on 24 different one-hour long topics. Check it out and don’t forget to sign up for the Spring version.
Enjoy!
SQL Swampland 