Using cursors is a controversal topic. As a former developer, that is the way I thought about processing data at one time. I gave a talk to a VB group a couple of years ago where I compared using cursors, correlated subqueries, etc., to other techniques to show the performance differences. A lively discussion ensued as the audience members were shocked that the ways they were updating and retrieving data might not be the best.
I recently came up with an analogy to explain why processing one row at a time is generally a bad idea. Suppose you have a 10 item grocery list. What are the steps to get the groceries to your pantry? If we process one item at a time, it will look something like this:
for each item in list walk to the car get in the car start the car drive to the store stop the car walk into store locate food package that matches item retrieve food package from store shelf cross off list pay for package leave store walk to the car get in car start car drive home stop car get out of the car walk in house with package put package awaynext item
With the high gasoline prices, you can see why this might not be a good idea.
As I thought might happen, I was too busy after Tuesday and Wednesday to report in. Tuesday was my first trip ever to the Microsoft Campus so I was very excited. I attended serveral sessions during the day that went over features of SQL Server 2008. I was especially interested in learning about policy based managment and the changes in Reporting Services. The interesting thing about these sessions is that you also get a glimpse of what is in the pipeline and the MVPs are very vocal about their opinions. Evidently, Microsoft takes MVP feedback very seriously. If I remember correctly, most of Wednesday covered what they are thinking about for the next release of SQL Server. Since this is my first MVP Summit, I was not as prepared as I should have been. I wish I had spent more time with the 2008 CTP release so that I would have some of those opinions to share.
The highlight of Wednesday had to be the attendee event at the Experience Music Project that evening. In one room a Rock Bank competition was being held. In another large room they had what was called Rockaoke. This was like Karoke in that you read the words on the screen. The difference was that a live band was playing. Of course, I signed up right away and sang "These Boots Are Made For Walking". Also singing was Allen White, Bayer White, and, performing together, Rick Heidges and Kalen Delaney. Now my life is complete -- seeing Kalen singing on stage.
This morning we were back in Seattle for two keynote presentations: Ray Ozzie and Steve Ballmer. I missed Mr. Ozzie's talk having stayed out way too late Wednesday night. I am really glad I made it in time for Steve's talk. I had seen him at PASS before, but he was really wound up today. He has such a dynamic personality.
One really fun thing today happened at lunch. I ran into Itzik Ben-Gan, T-SQL God. I had seen him during the week and at PASS before. This was the firat time we actually talked. I told him that I was a huge fan of his and enjoyed his books. He said that he was now a fan of mine after seeing me sing last night.
All that is left of this week is the Red-Gate party this evening and the trip home tomorrow. This has been an amazing week: getting to see so many friends and making new ones, learning so much about SQL Server 2008 and becoming even more excited about the future. I feel so privileged to be here and am so greatful for being chosen.
I'm sure that Monday was the most relaxed day that we will have this week. The conference did not start until 11:30, so I had time to visit the gym and take a walk down to the pier. I have seen many cyclists riding downhill, but have not seen one riding uphill yet. They must need to ride uphill sometimes, not sure what is going on there.
I have now run into many friends from PASS and met several SQL MVPs for the first time. Evidently, the SQL MVPs are a pretty tight group. After the keynote sessions yesterday, we had some open sessions, more like facilitated group discussions. I attended one on being a technical writer and one about user groups. I am not sure I liked the format, but did come away with some ideas. I was surprised to find that some people are making a living by just writing. I would love to do more writing, to have more time for writing, but not sure that I would want to do it full time. I think I would get bored if I didn't have to juggle many different types of things.
Well, I have to say that Microsoft is treating us very well. The food has been wonderful. We even had an open bar, no drink tickets, at the reception last night. When my ASP friend, Rachel, and I went back to the hotel before the opening reception, we found they had set up snacks in our hotel lobby.
So, today it is off to Redmond for technical sessions. I have been to their facility near Dallas and, of course, their office in St. Louis, but this will be my first time to visit the Redmond campus.
I arrived Sunday in Seattle from St. Louis for the MVP Global Summit. The shuttle from the airport was filled with other MVPs on the way to hotels as well. I met Rachel Appel, an ASP.Net MVP, on the shuttle and we immediately became friends. After getting settled in our rooms we went out for a bite to eat and registered for the conference. Later on, we met up with several other MVPs, including Steve Jones, Andy Kelly and Peter Ward, fellow PASS friends, for dinner and drinks. I now see why this is the "Global" Summit, Americans were in the miniority all evening.
We managed to stay out pretty late, frequently figuring out what time it would be at home. The conference actually begins at 11:30 this morning, so I plan to take a walk down to the pier knowing that it will probably be the last chance I get. I am very excited to find out that a party at the Experience Music Project is planned for one night this week. This is my third conference in Seattle, having been here for PASS twice in the past, and it is always fun.
I am excited about all the sessions I will be attending and meeting more MVPs. Knowing how busy this week will be, I am not sure that I will have time to post something every day, but I will post something when I can.
I made the decision today to start using SQL Server 2008 Management Studio at work to manage my 2000 and 2005 instances. Not sure why I didn’t think of it before. I’ve had the latest CTP on my work laptop since it was released and knew that it would work with previous releases, but I continued using the 2005 version.
So, what have I found so far? A few things I really like, especially the IntelliSense. I get a dropdown list of tables, functions and columns as well as red squiggly lines under errors. Another nice feature is the choice of returning 1000 read-only rows or 200 editable rows when right-clicking a table name. The Query Window has collapsible sections. That might come in handy when working on a big stored procedure.
One thing I didn’t like was the error I received when trying to modify a table definition. Luckily, a search of the error text turned up the solution. There is an option for the Query Window that you have to turn off in order to modify tables that will cause the table to be recreated.
As I continue to work with the new tool, I see what else I can find that is new.
Yesterday I found out that I am a new SQL Server MVP. I still have the feeling that I am an "imposter" and that I don't deserve such an honor. I have spent lots of my weekends and evenings over the past three years writing articles and book chapters, recording training videos, speaking, and volunteering for PASS and the local user group. I am confident that I have made a positive difference, so maybe this does make sense. Anyway, I am thrilled about the award and the fact that my efforts have been appreciated.
