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• Use Biml to Remove Spaces from Flat File Column Names

  I hate a space in a database column name. Kent Bradshaw and I are updating our demo for loading National Provider Index (NPI) file data (We plan to present on this soon… more later…). The NPI files currently have 329 fields and almost every one of them Read More... Posted Wednesday, July 06, 2016 1:19 PM by andyleonard | 2 Comments Filed under: Best Practices, BIML, Biml Studio, BimlScript, SQL Server, SSIS

• SQL Server Developer Edition is FREE!

  I’ve blogged about the value of SQL Server Developer Edition for years. It’s Enterprise Edition with a End User License Agreement (EULA) that states you cannot use the SKU for production. Developer Edition used to sell for around $50 USD, but it is now Read More... Posted Friday, April 01, 2016 9:45 AM by andyleonard | 1 Comments Filed under: Database Developer, Developer Edition, SQL Server, SQL Server 2014

• November 2015–Learn SQL Server and Visual Studio

  A reader emailed to ask what I recommend for learning current software and database development. I responded with these links: VirtualBox Windows 2016 Server TP3 SQL Server 2016 CTP 3 Visual Studio 2015 I believe the software is all free, though it is Read More... Posted Monday, November 16, 2015 8:00 AM by andyleonard | 0 Comments Filed under: Developer Community, Learn to Code, SQL Server, Visual Studio

• Precon - SSIS Design Patterns and BIML: A Day of Intelligent Data Integration–8 Jan 2016, Alpharetta Georgia

  I’m excited to announce I will be delivering a precon 8 Jan 2016 in Alpharetta Georgia for SQL Saturday 477 – Atlanta BI Edition titled SSIS Design Patterns and BIML: A Day of Intelligent Data Integration ! This Read More... Posted Thursday, November 12, 2015 2:29 PM by andyleonard | 0 Comments Filed under: Agile, Automation, BIML, BimlHero, BimlScript, Business Intelligence, Community, Data Integration, Data Warehouse, Design Pattern, DevOps, DILM, Elegant Design, ETL, ETL Instrumentation, Executing SSIS, Precons, Presentations, SQL Saturday, SQL Server, SQL Server Community, SSIS, SSIS 2012, SSIS 2014, SSIS 2016, SSIS Administration, SSIS Catalog, SSIS Design Patterns, SSIS Frameworks, SSIS Performance

• SQL Formatting Matters…

  … to some folks more than others. We likely all have stories about working with folks who care a lot about the format of their SQL statements. I’ve worked with a lot of database developers and analysts. I cannot say SQL formatting distinguishes the good Read More... Posted Monday, July 20, 2015 1:43 PM by andyleonard | 15 Comments Filed under: Automation, Doing Software Right, SQL, SQL Server, T-SQL

• Database Design: 3-State Bits

  I can hear you thinking, “Andy, you’re off your old rocker. There are only two states for bit values!” And you are correct. Almost. What if I’m storing a truly binary value – a value that possesses only two possible states – but there’s the possibility Read More... Posted Wednesday, May 06, 2015 7:45 PM by andyleonard | 1 Comments Filed under: database design, Database Developer, SQL Server

• Getting Started with SSIS: Get the Software and Tools

  People often ask me for tips on getting started with SSIS. My advice is always the same: Get a copy of SQL Server Developer Edition. At the time of this writing, the current version of SQL Server is SQL Server 2014. If you work in an organization that Read More... Posted Thursday, January 01, 2015 8:01 AM by andyleonard | 0 Comments Filed under: #BY15, Develoer Edition, Getting Started SSIS, SQL Server, SSDT-BI, SSIS

• It’s That Time of Year to Think About Your Career

  If you work with SQL Server (or want to work with SQL Server), this is a good time of the year to think about your career. Why? It’s the holiday season and you should have some time off… unless you have a Crappy Job . You can use some of this time to Read More... Posted Friday, December 05, 2014 2:00 PM by andyleonard | 1 Comments Filed under: SQL Server, SQL Server 2014, SSIS, SSIS 2014

• Repost for 2014: Come to the PASS Summit

  I originally posted this five years ago. It’s about my first PASS Summit ten years ago. I’ve made a couple edits and added some links. I hope it will encourage you to attend the PASS Summit 2014. :{> "What's the big deal about the PASS Summit, Read More... Posted Friday, October 03, 2014 6:54 AM by andyleonard | 0 Comments Filed under: Developer Community, PASS Summit 2014, SQL Server, SQL Server Community

• You Need a DBA

  This post was inspired by a recent conversation with a DBA followed by reading The Curse of Relational Databases (especially the comments) posted at Grant Fritchey ’s SQL Server Central blog . I have two points to make: As of mid-2014 a physical person Read More... Posted Tuesday, June 24, 2014 8:00 AM by andyleonard | 3 Comments Filed under: DBA, SQL Server

• RichmondSQL Meeting Tonight! (12 Dec 2013) - Az Arunachalam on Extended Events

  When: Thursday, December 12th, 2013, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Social Time starts at 6:00 PM! SQL Server Extended Events Microsoft is deprecating Trace and Profiler, a staple for monitoring SQL server since forever, in favor of Extended Events, introduced in Read More... Posted Thursday, December 12, 2013 7:30 AM by andyleonard | 0 Comments Filed under: Database Developer, Developer Community, RichmondSQL, SQL Server, SQL Server Community

• SQL in the City Event Dates Announced!

  Red Gate rocks. If you didn’t know that already, you know it now. The latest evidence to support this claim is the publication of the schedule for US SQL in the City events. They are: 9 Oct – Pasadena 11 Oct – Atlanta 14 Oct – Charlotte Registration for Read More... Posted Saturday, May 18, 2013 3:00 AM by andyleonard | 0 Comments Filed under: Community, Developer Community, Software Business, SQL Server, SQL Server Community

• SSIS Design Patterns, the Book

  For the past two years, I have had the honor and privilege or authoring SSIS Design Patterns alongside Jessica Moss, Michelle Ufford, Tim Mitchell, and Matt Masson. Publication of the book – like many projects of this scope – has been delayed. The current Read More... Posted Monday, August 06, 2012 1:37 PM by andyleonard | 4 Comments Filed under: BIML, Books, Business Intelligence, Components, Data Warehouse, Data Warehousing, Database Developer, Deployment, Design Pattern, Developer Community, Elegant Design, ETL, ETL Instrumentation, Expression Language, Incremental, SQL Azure, SQL Server, SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2012, Writing

• “Do Philanthropy Where You Are”

  That call to action from Microsoft Leadership struck a chord with many in the SQL Server MVP Community. The response? SQL Server MVP Deep Dives , released at the PASS Summit 2009. Proceeds from the sale of that book continue to go to War Child International Read More... Posted Wednesday, October 12, 2011 8:00 AM by andyleonard | 2 Comments Filed under: Books, MVP, PASS Summit 2011, SQL Server, SQL Server Community

• SQLTreeO–Folders in SSMS

  Introduction I got a note from Jakub Dvorak via LinkedIn inviting me to try SQLTreeO . I checked out the site, liked what I read, navigated to the download , and installed it. I think it’s pretty cool. Here’s how I used it: Create a New Folder in SSMS Read More... Posted Tuesday, August 30, 2011 11:52 AM by andyleonard | 6 Comments Filed under: Elegant Design, SQL Server