Programming Replication from Heterogeneous Data Sources

Microsoft® SQL Server™ enables third-party products to become Publishers within the SQL Server replication framework. The Replication Distributor Interface allows replication from heterogeneous databases that provide 32-bit OLE DB drivers to Subscribers running SQL Server 2000. Heterogeneous data sources include:

* Oracle databases

* DB2 databases

* Microsoft Access databases

* Other databases that comply with SQL Server ODBC or OLE DB Subscriber requirements

An Interview with Idera CEO, Rick Pleczko

I was talking with the people over at Idera a few weeks ago and they mentioned that their CEO would be happy to give us a few minutes of his time. So I took them up on the offer and built a list of questions about Idera and SQL Server 2005. Take a moment to learn about the vendor view of the world and the impending release of SQL Server 2005.

SQL Server 2005 Integration Services: Lessons from Project REAL

In Project REAL we are using large volumes of real data and scenarios from real companies to implement business intelligence systems using early releases of Microsoft SQL Server 2005. In the process, best practices are being developed and potential problems uncovered. This article reports some of the lessons learned while working on the data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) portion of the first phase of Project REAL.

The value of experienced coders

I was about 40 the first time I was told I should not continue coding. A well-meaning vice president at my company pulled me aside at a party and told me that I was getting too old to code. He had been a coder himself, knew that he was getting too old, and moved over to sales. He was sure that I should be moving over to another part of the business. I told him that perhaps not only did he have a problem coding when he reached 40, he probably had the same problem at 38. I said that I was perfectly happy as a coder, and had every intention of continuing as long as someone was willing to pay me.

SQL Server DevCon 2005

New author Mike McCallum spent a week in London at the 2005 SQL Server DevCon conference. It's a smaller event than the PASS Summits, but if it fits your travel or schedule plans better, take a read and see what he thought. With training budgets tight and SQL Server 2005 bringing a completely new paradigm, knowing all your training options is a good thing.

Automatically Utilizing XML's Untapped Semantic Goldmine

A mind is a terrible thing to waste and so is the vast quantity of untapped data structure meta information available free for the using in any XML document. This semantic data available in XML is like gold lying on the ground ready to be scooped up and cashed in with little or no effort. This is meta information that can be utilized immediately to significantly increase the value of the raw XML data. By automatically utilizing this valuable structure meta information, hierarchical fourth generation languages (4GLs) can nonprocedurally process XML's complex multi-leg hierarchical structure. This significantly increases the usefulness of the data and makes it immediately available for use at its enhanced value. This article describes the semantics of hierarchical data structures and how they can be automatically utilized by 4GLs.

Dr. Tom's Workshop: Multiple-Child Aggregation

Aggregation, which is commonly used to deliver reports to users, often also delivers poor performance. To help guarantee that you're delivering the best performance possible, you should explore different versions of the query and pick the best one. This month, look over Tom Moreau's shoulder as he shows you how to work with multiple-child aggregations.

A DBXtra Discount!

SQLServerCentral.com tries to provide you a great deal of value for your subscription fees. We think we do a good job considering the $0 cost 🙂 One of the benefits we sometimes negotiate is a discount on products. DBXtra has generously offered a discount for the next few months, so read on and make your purchase today!

Reporting Strictly for Developers: Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Serv

With the release of SQL Server Reporting Services, Microsoft finally makes a commitment to developer-centric reporting. They've integrated the design-time environment integration with Visual Studio and enabled report delivery through Web browsers, PDFs, Excel, and XML. Learn how to make this tool work for you.

Hits and Misses

Squeezing every last bit of performance from SQL Server is an art and one that can be critical to your success as a DBA. New author Mike Metcalf has brought us a little nugget he learned at Devcon recently about procedure cache hits and misses.