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Tag Archive: SQL Server

  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • SQL Server 2008 R2 – PowerPivot and Master Data Services

    May 18th, 2010 in Analysis Services, Blog, Integration Services, Reporting Services, SQL Server

    Purple Frog spent a very interesting day at Microsoft last week, at one of their many events promoting the launch of SQL Server 2008 R2. Rafal Lukewiecki presented an entertaining (as always!) and informative series of talks covering the release, focusing on the enhanced Business Intelligence tools available. The primary changes to note are Power Pivot – An in memory, client side add-in to Excel, that allows users to create virtual cubes on…

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  • SQLBits and Microsoft BI conferences

    April 15th, 2010 in Blog, SQL Server

    Following the launch of SQL Server 2008 R2 this week, the ever dedicated SQL Bits team are putting on the next installment tomorrow with SQL Bits VI – ‘the Sixth Sets’. The Purple Froggers will of course be there, hopefully in time for a pre-conference bacon butty! Also worth mentioning is ‘Microsoft Solutions for Business Intelligence’, a seminar that Microsoft are holding at their Reading campus on May 12 2010.…

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  • SQL Bits 6 – Registration Open

    March 17th, 2010 in Blog, SQL Server

    For anyone interested in SQL Server, the unmissable SQL Bits conference is returning for round six. “SQL Bits – The 6th Sets” is being held in central London for the first time, and unlike previous conferences it will be for one day only on Friday 16th April 2010. It’s being held as part of the SQL Server 2008 R2 release, also happening that week in London. Registration is now open, you can find out more at the SQL Bits…

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  • Data Warehouse Presentation

    February 23rd, 2010 in Blog, SQL Server

    Purple Frog is presenting a session on data warehouse design concepts at the South Wales SQL Server User Group on Thursday 25th February 2010. If you’re in the area and want to come along you can register for free here. Eversheds are hosting the event in their Cardiff office. Adam Morton will be demonstrating an ETL control framework in SSIS, and Alex Whittles will be discussing the concepts of data warehousing and the fundamental…

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  • Dynamic MDX in Reporting Services

    September 18th, 2008 in Analysis Services, Blog, Reporting Services, SQL Server

    After a couple of days off work last week with SQL Bits III and SQL 2008 Unleashed, it’s back to the grindstone this week; however before I get onto the serious stuff I’d like to say thank you to the organisers of both events. Watching you on stage headbanging to Rockstar – legendary! (You can see for yourself here and here…). Anyway, back to MDX… This post explains how you can build a dynamic MDX query in Reportins…

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  • SQLBits III and more…

    September 2nd, 2008 in Blog, SQL Server

    Next week we’re lucky enough to have a double-whammy of SQL events in the UK, has Christmas come early?… On Wednesday 10th September, Microsoft are running a live Technet event, SQL Server 2008 Unleashed, at their Reading campus. It looks like it should be a day well spent, with Prem Mehra delivering a keynote speech on large scale SQL Server systems, and other sessions including data warehouse improvements, upgrade paths, and a…

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