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SQL Server

  • Introduction to T-SQL Merge Basics

    December 13th, 2011 in Blog, SQL Server

    A number of Frog-Blog posts over the next couple of months are going to make heavy use of the awesome SQL Server MERGE statement, introduced in SQL Server 2008. I thought it best to write an introduction post to provide the basics and groundwork for future posts. So what does the Merge statement do? Merge upserts data into a table. If, like me, you find the word ‘upsert’ more than a little ridiculous, we can scrap it in favour of a slightly…

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  • Fast record count in SQL Server using sp_spaceused

    December 7th, 2011 in Blog, SQL Server

    Just a quick tidbit today, but a very useful one. Ever need to do SELECT Count(*) on a very large table? It can take ages. Instead, use sp_spaceused EXEC sp_spaceused 'MyTable' It returns you a useful result set like name rows reserved data index_size unused MyTable 19690290 13637488 KB 3001688 KB 9986416 KB 649384 KB Not only does it also give you extra useful information about the table, but it comes back virtually instantly. Columns:…

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  • SQLBits 9 Session – PowerPivot and QlikView 101

    October 15th, 2011 in Blog, Business Intelligence, Community, PowerPivot, QlikView, SQL Server

    Thank you to the SQLBits committee, speakers, helpers and attendees, for making SQLBits 9 one of the best yet. What a great example SQLBits is of the power of the SQL Server community coming together to help each other, and enjoy a few beers in the process! I was delighted to have my “PowerPivot & QlikView 101” session chosen by the committee, which I presented on Saturday afternoon. Thank you to all those who attended, great to…

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  • New UK SQL Server User Groups

    September 25th, 2011 in Blog, Community, SQL Server

    What an exciting few weeks we’ve got to look forward to! SQL Bits starts on Thursday this week which promises to be another fantastic event. I’m speaking on the Saturday, presenting a session on QlikView and PowerPivot. When I’m not speaking I’ve got a list of duties as long as my arm, from marshelling to room monitoring, and of course representing the Community Corner. If you’re interested in SQL events local to…

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  • SQL User Groups and SQLBits

    June 22nd, 2011 in Blog, Business Intelligence, Community, SQL Server

    SQLBits 9 It only seems like yesterday since the SQLBits crew put on their awesome 8th conference in Brighton. The next conference has just been announced, SQLBits will move to Liverpool for SQLBits 9 – “Query Across The Mersey” (…Really?!) between September 29th and October 1st. Registration’s not yet open, but you can find out more at www.SQLBits.com I’ve already submitted two sessions to present, “PowerPivot & QlikView…

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  • SQL Server Art using Spatial Data

    May 11th, 2011 in Blog, SQL Server

    This post follows on from an earlier post on drawing with SQL Server, and explains how to create much more complex drawings using a couple of neat tricks and SQL Server spatial data. Firstly, apologies to those at my session at SQL Bits to whom I promised this blog post, I did say I’d try and get it posted in a week, and it’s been a month – but it’s here now! So, what are we trying to do? In my earlier post I demonstrated…

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  • SQLBits 8 in Photos

    April 10th, 2011 in Blog, Other, SQL Server

    Well what a few days. Everyone I spoke to agreed that SQLBits 8 has been the best SQLBits conference yet. The organisers did a fantastic job, the whole event seemed to run incredibly smoothly and was very well received. I’m sure there’s a certain element of the swan effect, with frantic paddling behind the scenes, but they pulled it off very well indeed. A massive thanks for all of your effort. For me, this was the first SQLBits…

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  • Drawing a logo or diagram using SQL spatial data

    March 30th, 2011 in Blog, SQL Server

    I have to admit that I’m really excited about presenting a session at SQLBits 8 in Brighton next week. I’ve been an avid supporter of SQLBits since the first conference that I attended (SQLBits 2), and am thoroughly looking forward to finally getting a chance to be a part of the event and presenting my own session. If you’re going, I hope to see you there!   My session is about using SSRS, SQL spatial data and DMVs to visualise SSAS…

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  • SQL Server User Group – Birmingham

    March 3rd, 2011 in Blog, SQL Server

    It’s only a week to go until the first Midlands SQL Server User Group, being held on March 10th 2011 at the Old Joint Stock pub in Birmingham. We’ve got two of the best speakers in the UK lined up, Allan Mitchell and Neil Hambly, we’re putting food on for you (pork pies and chip butties!) and it’s being held in a pub so beer will also be involved. SQL Server, pork pies and beer – all in one place?! Go on, how can…

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  • Speed up SSIS by using a slower query

    February 17th, 2011 in Blog, Integration Services, SQL Server

    This isn’t a technical blog post of my own, but a shout out to Rob Farley and an excellent blog post explaining how to use SQL’s OPTION (FAST x) hint. He explains how you can speed up an SSIS data flow by slowing down the source query. It may seem illogical at first, but you’ll understand after you go and read Rob’s post! Read Rob’s post here: Speeding up SSIS using OPTION (FAST)

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