SQL Share

If you are interested in learning more about SQL Server, check out SQLShare.com. There over 400 training videos there on all sorts of subjects. Pretty cool!

Indexes

I have received a couple questions recently about indexes in SQL Server and found this website describing them very well:

http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/mladenp/archive/2007/09/18/Back-To-Basics-What-is-a-Clustered-and-a-Non-Clustered.aspx

A clustered index is the table in a physical order and there can only be one clustered index. Otherwise, you have nonclustered indexes on different fields.

Check the execution plan of your query to see how effective it is in retrieving the data.

Webucator Training

In March 2009, I won a years worth of Webucator training (http://www.webucator.com/) from NOVA SQL Server User Group (http://www.novasql.com/). As the name suggests, Webucator is an online training website. The training I won is for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Solutions MCITP 70-441. It covers these subjects:

Designing a Database Solution

Designing Database Objects

Performance Tuning a Database Solution

Securing a Database Solution

Designing Database Testing and Code Management Procedures

Designing a Web Service Solution

Designing Messaging Services for a Database Solution

Designing a Reporting Services Solutions

Designing Data Integration Solutions

Plus two exams

The training is pretty extensive. It includes tools like assessments,

progress reports, slides to download, a match

game, and flash cards.

I am glad that I have it for a year and do intend on

completing the course while SQL Server 2005 is still relevant.

Pluralsight Training

At FredNUG user group (http://www.frednug.org), I was given a 1 month free access to Pluralsight Training since I am unemployed. I was given an unrestricted access to the Pluralsight OnDemand! library. This is worth $1,499.00US. The OnDemand library is a series of videos of the following topics (as of Sept. 23, 2009):

1. BizTalk 2006 Fundamentals 13 Modules [12:53:29]

2. Agile Team Practice Fundamentals 8 Modules [03:16:53]

3. Windows Application Server 'Dublin' Fundamentals 4 Modules [03:16:41]

4. ASP.NET Ajax Fundamentals 10 Modules [11:26:57]

5. ASP.NET 3.5 Fundamentals 19 Modules [22:52:33]

6. ASP.NET MVC Fundamentals 9 Modules [10:01:48]

7. BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Fundamentals 8 Modules [06:06:14]

8. .NET / C# Tutorial 3 Modules [03:44:49]

9. .NET 3.5 Fundamentals 14 Modules [13:53:24]

10. LINQ Fundamentals 10 Modules [10:29:35]

11. Managed Services Engine Fundamentals 8 Modules [01:11:23]

12. Silverlight Fundamentals 14 Modules [08:27:19]

13. SQL Server 2008 Fundamentals 16 Modules [08:22:05]

14. Visual Studio Team System 2008 Fundamentals 17 Modules [02:02:00]

15. WCF Fundamentals 12 Modules [15:17:01]

16. Windows Workflow Fundamentals 12 Modules [12:36:52]

17. WPF Fundamentals 14 Modules [09:42:38]

The videos are played through the Sapphire Silverlight Player, which protects the videos from being copied. On the left pane of the screen is the list of segments or chapters of the video. Also, there is a link to the sample code. Plus, the usual player controls of the video. The video quality is pretty good as is the audio. There are also 2 buttons at the top for Optimal Size and full Size. I was kinda surprised that the instructor for the .NET/C# Fundamentals was using Windows 7 which was in beta at the time of the recording. The number of modules seems to be updated fairly frequently. They are giving access to the .NET / C# Tutorial for free to all registered users.

As you can tell from the number of modules and the time after each topics, there are many hours of training. The toughest part for me is to find the time to sit and go through the modules. Usually, I would start a module and watch the first couple chapters and then get sidetracked (maybe my ADHD kicking in?) and just continue the module in the background, while I did my work.

The speakers really seem to know what they are talking about. I think for the cost it is worth it. I know some companies charge about the same amount for a weeks worth of class room training. In fact, Pluralsight does do customized on-site training and general classes around the country. For the latest training information, check out their website: http://www.pluralsight.com.

Database Changes

Seems to me that the database industry is changing. There is a lot of talk of Cloud computing and Microsoft is pouring tons of money to make that happen. Will SQL Server make it in the Cloud? Will companies allow their precious data be saved in the Cloud? I guess time will tell.

NoVa Code Camp 2008.2

Last Saturday, I attended the NoVa Code Camp 2008.2 (http://novacodecamp.org) at Microsoft office in Reston, VA. I attended sessions on ASP.NET/MVC and SQL Server CLR and SSIS.

During the keynote, Jeff Schoolcraft mentioned that if you join the Montgomery County Library in Maryland that you get access to Safari (on-line book website) for free. Well, I got home and check my local library in Loudoun County in Virginia and they also have the same service for free. If you click on the Database and Homework table and then find the link to Safari Tech Books Online under the Books, Literature and the Arts area . The regular cost for Safari is $472.89 Per Year. As someone said at the Code Camp, it was worth the price of admission.

The organizers did a great job putting the event together! I look forward to the next one...

SharePoint and InfoPath

This last Saturday I attended a SharePoint code camp in Baltimore put on by the Baltimore SharePoint User Group (http://www.baltimoresug.org/). It is a free 1 day conference that had two tracks. One for developers and the other for administrators. I stayed in the developer track, which consisted of Workflow, Content Types, and InfoPath presentations.