Applied Visual Studio Team System

Build a Custom Data Generator

Sachin Rekhi posts this entry entitled Creating a custom data generator: PersonGenerator.

Sachin's blog boasts quite a collection of useful information about Team Edition for Database Professionals - it's definitely worth a read!

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: Team Edition for Database Professionals Data Dude Data Generator

FAQ Friday

I was honored to be G. Andrew Duthie's guest today on FAQ Friday. (I know, "next time post something before the event, Andy.")

Thanks Andrew for asking to be on the webcast!

We talked about SQL Server Integration Services, Team Edition for Database Professionals, Team Foundation Server, and SQL Server 2005. We managed to get in some tips and tricks for the query window in SQL Server Management Studio, including viewing and executing SQLCmd statements in an SSMS query window.

FAQ Fridays rock!

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: FAQ Friday SQL Server Integration Services Management Studio SQLCmd

SQL Server Hosting Toolkit

Microsoft announces the SQL Server Hosting Toolkit.

It's a command line-based scripting tool. This is the first CTP so it's limited in proposed functionality - but even so, it's already impressive.

After installing the utility, access it from the Start menu:

I immediately aimed it at AdventureWorks in a local instance of SQl Server 2005 on my laptop - hoping to generate a database script. It failed:

At this point, I decided to read the ReadMe file:

There's a link to Known Issues which took me to a page describing supported database objects and unsupported data types. The returned error listed the database table where the issue originated (nice touch!): DatabaseLog. It turns out DatabaseLog contains an XML field - one of the unsupported types.

To test, I first created a database and added one of each supported database object - a table, index, view, and stored procedure:

I added data to the table with an index, created a view that returned SELECT *..., and created a sproc that accepted a single parameter (id) and returned everything in the view. After test execution of the sproc, I used SQLPubWiz to generate scripts for the database:

I next deleted the objects I created earlier and used the generated script to recreate them. Executing the sproc returned an error - it no longer existed.

One cool feature I noticed right away is the data in the table is also included in the script. Re-executing the sproc proved the database and data had been restored.

Technorati Tags: SQLPubWiz SQL Server Hosting Toolkit SQL Server Utilities

Transition

Changing jobs is tough. It's a job in and of itself.

Most regulars here know I moved from Jacksonville, FL last year to be closer to Christy's and my folks in Virginia. We've settled in Farmville, VA and love it here.

I recently received a call from Solid Quality Learning and have accepted an offer to become a Solid Quality Learning Mentor.

It's a huge honor to work with these legends of SQL Server. For someone who enjoys learning as much as I do, it is an added bonus! I am learning more than I have in a long while.

Most important, Solid Quality Learning is everything it appears - a very cool company of awesome technology professionals.

But I've been spoiled lately at my current position with CapTech Ventures, Inc. CapTech is also an awesome company. It's been an honor to work for them as well - and they have treated me well. CapTech is headquartered in Richmond, VA and most of their work is in the Richmond area. They're a consulting firm - putting people into strategic project roles with businesses to accomplish some business goal or perform a business role.

CapTech is growing like crazy. My theory about why is twofold: 1) they hire good people and 2) they treat them well. If you're a Richmond technologist (or a technologist thinking of moving to Richmond), you owe CapTech Ventures Careers page a look.

So I bid CapTech farewell with thanks for the experiences, and look forward with excitement to this new relationship with Solid Quality Learning!

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: About Andy Solid Quality Learning CapTech Ventures Richmond, VA

Team Edition for Database Professionals CTP6!

was released Wednesday.

As with previous versions - notably CTP5 - projects built in previous versions will not load properly in CTP6. "Breaking features" were added and they're common in CTPs. It beats the alternative of no CTPs, so no whining!

One note: Connection passwords are stored in the registry - although encrypted - whether you check the "Save my password" checkbox or not. There are a few other gotchas, but they're documented in the ReadMe.

In a related note, Microsoft has started scheduling launch events for Team Edition for Database Professionals! Sign up today!

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: Team Edition for Database Professionals Data Dude CTP

Extended Developer Communities

The developer community in Richmond, VA enjoys the support of surrounding developer communites.

I don't thank these folks often enough, so I'm going to now.

Thanks to the developer communites in:

• The Roanoke Valley - RV .Net Users Group and the RV SQL Server Users Group.
• Hampton Roads / Tidewater - WeProgram.Net and the Hampton Roads SQL Server Users Group.
• NoVa (Northern Virginia) - NoVa SQL Server Users Group, Cap Area .Net Users Group, and the Microsoft Integration and Connected Systems User Group (MICSUG).

These groups send folks to speak and volunteer for our code camps. They're simply awesome people who deserve our thanks. Thank You!

:{> Andy

The Second Richmond Code Camp - Success!

The second Richmond Code Camp was a tremendous success!

Many thanks to the presenters, volunteers, contributors, and steering committee - but most of all, to the attendees.

It was stormy most of the day Saturday. The weather was remarkably similar to the weather on the the day of the first Richmond Code Camp. We can make it rain! :)

It really was an outstanding event. We will begin planning the next Richmond Code Camp next month. It is currently scheduled for sometime in April.

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: Developer Community Code Camp Richmond, VA

Richmond Code Camp 2, T - 9 hours

The second Richmond Code Camp is nearly upon us!

Speakers are polishing up their presentations at the last minute - Ok, maybe not all speakers - but I am! There are things to be completed and picked up on the way to ECPI - Innsbrook, schedules of events, and to-do lists of epic proportion scattered among the Richmond Code Camp Steering committee members.

All the planning, emails, cell calls - it all comes together in a few hours. Or not. We shall see!

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: Developer Community Code Camp Richmond, VA

Scott Adam's Dilbert Blog

Dilbert.blog

Enough said.

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: Dilbert Scott Adams

Cool idea, cool site: CodeCampEvals.com

CodeCampEvals.com is an awesome idea! The site is very professional, the interface is intuitive, and the reporting is the best I've seen. Kudos to David Silverlight and crew for a job well done! (FYI, this same developer-community-oriented group also started Community-Credit.com - also worth a click!)

The second Richmond Code Camp will be using CodeCampEvals.com to collect speaker, session, and overall Code Camp experience evaluations. This will allow attendees to concentrate on what they came for - cramming as many new cool coding tricks and tips into their brains as time will allow!

One lucky evaluation submitter will be randomly selected to receive a

cool .Net Ninja shirt!

How cool is that?!

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: Develper Community Code Camp Richmond, Va CodeCampEvals evaluations

Richmond Code Camp 2 - Saturday!

Have you for the second Richmond Code Camp? Have you checked out the schedule? See any names you recognize?

Darrell Norton has been an MVP for years. He will be presenting on Windows Presentation Foundation and Windows Communication Foundation frameworks. I plan to be there!

Ashish Jaiman works for Microsoft. He's an ISV Developer Evangelist focused on helping ISVs adopt new Microsoft technology - such as .Net30, Vista, Longhorn, and Office 2007. Read more at the team blog. Ashish will present on three topics - including a deep dive into WCF!

And they are just two of the many speakers we'll have! Hope to see you there!

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: Developer Community Code Camp Richmond, VA