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SQL Server

  • Automate changing SSIS connection at runtime

    October 15th, 2021 in Blog, Integration Services, SQL Server, SSIS, Uncategorized

    Recently a customer came to us with an issue: “We have a primary/secondary AlwaysOn failover cluster, we want the data warehouse ETL to always pull from the secondary read-only replica. When the primary fails over, how can we detect this and repoint the ETL to the new secondary?” This led us to the following qualification steps:1. Is the secondary server accessible? a. Yes – Use it. b. No – Try the primary server.2. Is…

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  • Azure Synapse Series: Hash Distribution and Shuffle

    March 5th, 2021 in Azure, Blog, SQL Server, Synapse

    For this post I’m going to presume you’ve already taken a look at distributing your data using a hash column, and you’re not experiencing the performance you’re expecting. (If you’re not already aware of what this is, take a look at the following link to learn the basics of what a distributed table is and why you need it in Azure Synapse. I’ll be here when you get back.)…

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  • ADF Switch Activity – A neat solution for nested IFs.

    December 17th, 2020 in Azure, Blog, Business Intelligence, Data Factory, SQL Server

    Whilst carrying out some work for a client using Azure Data Factory I was presented with the challenge of triggering different activities depending on the result of a stored procedure. In fact the challenge posed was to… Execute ‘Copy A’ activity if the result of a stored procedure returned (A), Execute ‘Copy B’ activity if the result of a stored procedure returned (B), Execute ‘Copy C’ activity if the result of a stored…

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  • My experience in obtaining an MCSE

    August 7th, 2020 in Analysis Services, Blog, Business Intelligence, Integration Services, SQL Server

    Background I have recently completed my MCSE in Data Management and Analytics, and I wanted to share my experience of working towards and passing the exams that have led to me getting this MCSE. In this post I will cover some of the challenges I faced and provide some tips and advice, hopefully others following the same certification path, or other paths, will find this useful. I am a business intelligence developer at Purple Frog, I have…

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  • SQL LAST_VALUE() wrong results

    March 2nd, 2020 in Blog, SQL Server

    You may have come across the following scenario when using the LAST_VALUE() function. You want to find the first or last value loaded in a result set, therefore you use the FIRST_VALUE() and LAST_VALUE() functions like below: You expect to get “A” for every record in the FirstValue column and “E” for every record in the LastValue column.However you see the following output: LAST_VALUE() on its own is implemented from the…

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  • SQL Server 2016 Licensing Changes, SP1, v.Next CTP1, etc.

    November 16th, 2016 in Blog, SQL Server

    By now you’ve probably heard the exciting news announced at today’s Microsoft Connect conference; SQL Server licensing is changing, significantly, from SQL 2016 SP1. The functionality of SQL Server Standard, Web & Express editions are being brought up to [almost, 99%] match that of Enterprise Edition. This has a number of critical impacts: Developers can write applications using a single set of SQL Server functionality, and can…

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  • SQL Battleships

    June 2nd, 2016 in Blog, Community, Just For Fun, SQL Server

    When Battleships Met SQL Server, like Bailys meeting Coffee, but better. Do you have an equal love of the classic two player board game Battleship and also SQL Server database development? If the answer is yes (which it obviously should be) then this is the blog post for you! The next question that I’m more than happy to answer for you is; how can I combine these 2x loves?… Well my friend, please continue reading to find out. So, let’s…

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  • SQL Server Management Studio Code Snippets

    May 25th, 2016 in Blog, SQL Server

    Code Snippets are not a new thing. Many languages have them and many plugins for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) include them. However I believe the out of the box offering in SSMS is just fine and this post explores how I use the feature and how you could too. Code Snippet Types Firstly it is important to understand that within SSMS you have two different types of code snippet. These are: Expansion – offering the insertion of a…

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  • Using Hyper-V and PowerShell to Create the Perfect Developer Workstation

    May 23rd, 2016 in Blog, Hyper-V, PowerShell, Purple Frog Systems, SQL Server

    So the second challenge I faced after unboxing and plugging in my new workstation at Purple Frog Systems was software. Having customers using all versions of SQL Server from 2005 onwards I didn’t want to tie myself to a particular version locally and I also didn’t want the hassle of running lots of different SQL Server services all on the same host operating system. Especially if I wanted to use Windows 10 as my host, which as we…

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  • My Introduction to the SQL Server Community

    May 20th, 2016 in Azure, Blog, Community, Purple Frog Systems, SQL Server

    Once I was blind, but now I see! In the early part of 2015 (I think) a work colleague and friend suggested that on Thursday evening I attend the SQL Server Midlands User Group. The event was completely new to me, I’d never before ventured outside my professional comfort zone, or even had any appreciation that there was such a gathering about SQL Server locally. Anyway, I registered and got some more details. The event was currently ran…

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