Sounds like you need a Tally table. Here[/url] is a link to Jeff Moden's article.

It's harder to tell without table definitions, but if you joined quantity in your query to...

You can query Facebook with PowerBI and then once it's there, probably import that using SSIS.

when does each 28-day period start?

you could calculate from the first of the year using DATEDIFF and then integer divide by 28 to get the 4-week period, and then group....

If you really want to learn, I would find a (maybe) simple problem from work, and create your database to solve it. Then try to incorporate everything that you're learning...

I agree... it's called "professional development"... definitely worthwhile, whether you take the exams or not.

I don't think you can change the default date... well, the user can't.

Do you have SQL Server Data Tools? It's not a full version of Visual Studio. That's enough to do SSIS.

NOLOCK is a no-no... don't do that unless you're aware of the nasty side effects.

here's a hint:

GETDATE() returns the current date.

Right-click your date parameter > Parameter Properties.

Available Values > Get values from Query , then choose the dataset and the value and label fields.

Same as any other dropdown in SSRS.

I think it's an XOR thing...

Either you can select a date (no list of values)... and you can use the Calendar control

OR

You can select a date from a dropdown.

you can't...

This is a partial answer, but if you want to learn data warehousing and understand what you're doing, read Ralph Kimball's Data Warehouse Toolkit, and read Adamson's Star Schema: Complete...

Exercise your Googlefu, young Jedi!

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190307.aspx

Does database B already have data in it? If not, it would be easier to restore A over B.

Interesting metric... How much sh*t do you feel comfortable being covered with when it hits the fan? More frequent log backups and full backups minimize the stink...