Please Vote: Windowing Enhancements in SQL Server

Mike C — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:45:00 GMT

Back in January 2007, SQL guru Itzik Ben-Gan posted a series of MS Connect enhancement requests concerning windowing function enhancements. Those who have used the ROW_NUMBER(), RANK(), DENSE_RANK(), and NTILE() functions on SQL 2005 and 2008, you already know how useful they are. They simplify code and can improve performance considerably over the alternatives, which usually include self-joins, temp tables and/or cursors in various combinations.

Well, the windowing functionality that you've seen in SQL 2005 and 2008 is just the tip of the iceberg. The ISO SQL standard actually defines several additional options for these functions that SQL Server doesn't yet support. These additional options allow you to do some pretty amazing calculations. The ROWS and RANGE window subclauses that the standard defines allows you to perform "sliding window" calculations; the ORDER BY clause for aggregate functions which simplifies complex running sum (and other) calculations.

As a SQL developer or DBA, these enhancements will simplify your life. But don't take my word for it - read Itzik's white paper at http://www.insidetsql.com/OVER_Clause_and_Ordered_Calculations.doc. Then let Microsoft know you want these enhancements in SQL Server by voting on Itzik's enhancement requests at the following links:

Progressive Ordered Calculations: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=254397

FIRST_VALUE, LAST_VALUE functions: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=254395

DISTINCT clause for aggregates: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=254393

ROWS and RANGE window subclauses: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=254392

Vector expressions: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=254391

TOP OVER: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=254390

LAG and LEAD functions: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=254388

ORDER BY for aggregates: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=254387

Read Itzik's article, vote on the Connect items, and spread the word!

"SQL Server MVP Deep Dives" Book Available for Early Access/Pre-Orders

Mike C — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:21:00 GMT

The MVP authored book, SQL Server MVP Deep Dives is now available for early access and pre-orders at http://manning.com/nielsen/. The book is divided into 5 sections that cover everything from building a proper relational database to developing BI solutions:

1. Database Design and Architecture
2. Database Development
3. Database Administration
4. Performance Tuning and Optimization
5. BI Development

This book covers a lot of ground with a lot of expert tour guides. Weighing in at 850 pages, it was written, tech-reviewed and edited by dozens of Microsoft MVPs with intimate knowledge of SQL Server. The contributor list includes some of the biggest names in SQL Server: Paul Nielsen, Adam Machanic, Kalen Delaney, Itzik Ben-Gan, Aaron Bertrand, Hugo Kornelis, John Paul Cook, and several others. For me getting a copy of this book will be like getting the opportunity to pick the brains of some of the most knowledgable folks in the industry on a wide variety of topics.

This is already one of my favorite books that I've had the chance to contribute to (I wrote a couple of chapters discussing on SQL Server XML in general and SQL Server XQuery specifically) because all of the royalties go to a charity that helps children who are war victims!

So go get the book, learn what the pros know, and do your good deed for the day -- all at the same time!

You can get more info on SQL Server MVP Deep Dives at Manning Publications: http://manning.com/nielsen/ and at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/SQL-Server-MVP-Deep-Dives/dp/1935182048/.

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Please Vote: Windowing Enhancements in SQL Server

"SQL Server MVP Deep Dives" Book Available for Early Access/Pre-Orders