SQL Server and Cloud Links for the Week

SQL Server Links

Why Identity Fields Aren’t Bad – if you think identity fields are to be avoided, read Aaron Alton’s blog about it.

How to Create a Calendar Table – every DBA needs this script, which generates a table full of dates.  For example, I’ve had users say, “Give me a list of sales by date,” and when I give them the list, they say, “How come July 4th is missing?”  Well, because we were closed, you moron, but then they think it’s a bug in my query because I should have the date along with zero sales.

HBA Queue Depth Recommendations for SQL Server – queue depth is one of those gray areas that isn’t too well-understood.  I barely understand it, and what I understand is probably wrong, but at least it matches with this post by Joe Sack.

Fixing views with SELECT * – if you have a view with a SELECT * statement in it, and you change the underlying table definitions, the view won’t refresh to match the new schema.  Denis Gobo demonstrates it with T-SQL scripts.

PASS Update from Andy Warren – man, I get tired just reading these things. Being on the board is a lot of work.  Andy also wrote about his work philosophy in another post, Ruthless Focus – or as I like to call it, agony.

PASS Europe Summit Call to Speakers Open – I’ve submitted a handful of proposals, and I’m going to submit more this week.  (Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful. Hate me because I might go to Germany, where the DBAs know how to party.)

First beta of standalone SQL Agent replacement – Denny Cherry is writing a SQL Server Agent for the free Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition, which doesn’t include any Agent functionality.  This would give you the ability to run jobs on your Express Edition machines.

SQL Server 2008 System Views Poster available to download – the Solid Quality Mentors crew put this out for Microsoft, and it’s a free download.

Cloud Links

SimpleDB in Visual Studio

New SimpleDB Management Tools for Visual Studio – okay, now SimpleDB is starting to get really sexy.  Mindscape’s brought out a tool for $30 that lets you query SimpleDB and manage it inside Visual Studio.  Me like.

The Junk Drawer

Eye Chart for Geeks – if you can read this, your eyes are l33t.

LaidOff Camp – I’m burned out on the “Camp” names for things (how can it be a camp if it’s not overnight?) but I feel bad for these guys, who are getting together to get employed.

Microsoft Charity Challenge Recap – Tim Costello writes about his experience at this event, which brings techies together to build applications for charities in a short time window.  When I talk to junior DBAs and developers who want to break out into a senior level position, one of the tips I give is to talk to local charities and nonprofits.  They need IT help, and you can make a big difference in a short amount of time.  They’re thankful for the help, and you get good experience without having to convince a client to pay you.  Plus, since it’s a charity, you can tap your virtual friends on the shoulder for help and they’re more likely to pitch in for a good cause when you get in over your head.

Dishonorable Mention: The 10 Most Embarrassing Award Winners in Automotive History – Car & Driver documents cars that never should have won the awards, but did.  (Hey, I liked the Merkur XR4Ti.  I even ordered the brochure via snail mail, and I wasn’t even old enough to drive!)