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PatrickLeBlanc

Join me for Lunch - SQL Lunch #33 (Indicators, Sparklines and Databars)

8/30/2010 5:24:16 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 4  -  Views: [30208]

Join me for Lunch - SQL Lunch #33 (Indicators, Sparklines and Databars) #33-SSRS 2008 R2 - Indicators, Sparklines and Databars Speaker: Patrick LeBlanc Add To Outlook: Add To Calendar Live Meeting URL: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usergroups/join?id=RZW5HJ&role=attend Date and Time: 9/1/2010 11:30:00 AM CST BIO: Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server MVP, is currently a Business Intelligence Architect for Pragmatic Works. He has worked as a SQL Server DBA for the past 9 years. His experience includes...

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PatrickLeBlanc

MDX Puzzle #7

8/29/2010 9:40:12 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 2  -  Views: [4190]

I have presented you with a couple of easy puzzles in the last few posts. So, let's step it up a little with one that is a little more challenging. I have to be honest, this puzzle was sent to me by one of my co-workers at Pragmatic Works. Here are the requirements: Columns: Reseller Sales Amount and using the Source Currency Code add a column to the result that displays US if the currency code is USD and International for all other currency codes. Rows: Country and State-Province Filters: None ...

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PatrickLeBlanc

MDX Puzzle #6 - Solution

8/27/2010 6:15:17 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 4  -  Views: [176]

Puzzle #6 should not have presented too much of a challenge, it's intentions were to introduction you to the ORDER function that is available in MDX. Ok, so this is what I started with: This is a very simple statement that satisfies most of the puzzle requirements. The only one that is does not satisfy is the ordering of the results. To do this I used the ORDER function. The function accepts two arguments. The first is a valid expression that returns a set. In this example it is the set of Produ...

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PatrickLeBlanc

MDX Puzzle #6

8/25/2010 2:41:01 AM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 0  -  Views: [143]

As we continue with the puzzles, I will continue to introduce new MDX functions. In this puzzle the requirements are as follows: Columns : Reseller Sales Amount Rows : Product Subcategories Filters : None Hints : This puzzle is too easy for a hint. ;) Ahhhh, but there is one additional requirement, the resulting rows should be returned in DESC order by Reseller Sales Amount. Remember, don't post your solution here. Save them for my solution post. I will post it along with the steps that was take...

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PatrickLeBlanc

SQL Saturday #28 - Lessons Learned

8/23/2010 12:57:43 AM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 1  -  Views: [106]

After spending a week in Tampa, FL at a client site I've had some time to unwind and reflect back on SQL Saturday #28. I have received some really positive feedback from all individuals involved. While I can't say that every aspect of the event was excellent, I can say that compared to last years event this one far exceeded any of my expectations. I have read several blog posting about the event and I have to issue one correction, most of you are reporting our attendance as 350 attendees. That i...

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PatrickLeBlanc

SQL Reporting Services - Line Graph with a Vertical Bar

8/11/2010 1:57:45 AM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 0  -  Views: [231]

So, I was recently asked if you could display a vertical bar on a line graph to denote the last day of the month. Initially, I had no clue how to solve this problem. I talked to a couple of people and searched the web, but came up empty. I decided to just dive into a report and solve the problem on my own. So I started with the following query that can be run in the AdventureWorks2008 database: SELECT st.CountryRegionCode, CAST (sod.OrderDate AS DATE ), SUM (sod.TotalDue) TotalDue, NULL Marker F...

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PatrickLeBlanc

MDX Puzzle #5 - Solution

8/10/2010 2:43:38 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 1  -  Views: [140]

Again I want to apologize for the slow posting of the solution to this puzzle, but I have been hard at work on SQL Saturday #28 . Fortunately, I carved out some time to write it up. The solution to this puzzle could have been accomplished a couple of ways. I chose to use the SUM and YTD MDX functions, but before I discuss these functions I will start with the basic query, which satisfies these requirements: 1. Internet Sales Amount as a Column 2. Delivery Date Calendar Month as a Row 3. Applies ...

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PatrickLeBlanc

SQL lunch #28-SSIS Design Patterns 1a: Introduction to SSIS Design Patterns

8/8/2010 9:22:40 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 0  -  Views: [178]

In this three part series SQL Server MVP Andy Leonard will discuss SSIS Design Patterns . Speaker: Andy Leonard Add To Outlook: Add To Calendar Meeting URL: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usergroups/join?id=J8NSMR&role=attend Date and Time: 8/9/2010 11:30:00 AM CST Topic: #28-SSIS Design Patterns 1a: Introduction to SSIS Design Patterns This is part one of a three part series. A brief introduction to the concept and usage of design patterns and a demonstration of the Counts Acquisition in ET...

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PatrickLeBlanc

SQL Saturday #28 Update

8/6/2010 4:47:45 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 0  -  Views: [126]

We are just about a week away from probably the biggest FREE training event to ever take place in Baton Rouge, LA. Heck this is probably the biggest FREE technology event in Louisiana. I really don't know. Nevertheless, since it is almost here I wanted to encourage any one that has not already signed up to do so now. We are well over 500 registered attendees and that number is increasing daily. If you are not sure whether to attend or not here are a few highlights: 53 sessions, including 4 early...

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PatrickLeBlanc

SQL Saturday #28 Announces: Asks The Experts

8/3/2010 3:18:49 AM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 1  -  Views: [286]

Do you have a challenging SQL Server or .Net issue that is causing you to have sleepless nights? Well, we have convinced 12 of our speakers (Experts) to allocate an additional hour of their day strictly for answering questions. These are some of the top SQL Server and .NET guys in the industry. So, if you have any questions bring them to SQL Saturday #28 Baton Rouge. Here is the schedule. Time Slot Speakers Topics 9:00 am – 10:00 am Chris Eargle and Chander Shekhar Dhall Software Development, Ap...

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PatrickLeBlanc

MDX Puzzle #5

8/1/2010 10:15:31 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 0  -  Views: [168]

Writing YTD totals and Running totals using T-SQL can take a little effort. However, with MDX it's not too difficult. In this puzzle I will write an MDX statement that produces a monthly YTD or Running total. Here are the requirements: Columns : Monthly Running Total (Calculation), Internet Sales Amount Rows : Delivery Date Calendar Month Filters : Delivery Date from January 2006 to December 2006 Hints : You may need to create a scope calculation (WITH MEMBER), use the YTD and SUM functions Reme...

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PatrickLeBlanc

MDX Puzzle #4 - Solution

7/30/2010 2:48:02 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 1  -  Views: [309]

This puzzle may not have been much of a challenge, but it introduced two new MDX concepts. I have to admit, one of my colleagues and I chatted about this puzzle, and I realized that my requirements were a little unrealistic. As a result, I changed the requirements a little. Instead of returning data between the Calendar Years of 2006 and 2008, the data should be filtered by Ship Date Calendar Year. So, here is what I started with: SELECT NON EMPTY ( [Ship Date ].[Calendar Year ].Children,\ [Meas...

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PatrickLeBlanc

2010 3rd Quarter Goals

7/28/2010 2:21:47 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 2  -  Views: [151]

Now that we are into the third quarter of 2010 I decided to post an update of my 2nd quarter goals and post goals for the 3rd quarter. If you all have been following my blog or me on twitter (patrickdba) you know that I was selected as a SQL Server MVP for the first time this year and that the SQL Lunch is doing great. I am really excited about both and I can't wait for you all to see the great Lunches that are coming up in the next few months. So now onto my goals. In the second quarter I met a...

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PatrickLeBlanc

MDX Puzzle #4

7/28/2010 12:52:59 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 1  -  Views: [312]

This puzzle is rather simple, but it does introduce a few new things. Using T-SQL you typically filter queries with a WHERE clause. You can also do the same with MDX, but just like T-SQL there are a few ways to accomplish this. In this puzzle you will see an example. Here are the requirements: Show: Internet Sales Amount Columns: Ship Date Calendar Year Rows: Product SubCategory Filter: Only return Product SubCategories that have sales greater than 1,000,000 and only return data between Calendar...

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PatrickLeBlanc

SQL Saturday Wiki

7/25/2010 9:34:40 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 3  -  Views: [229]

This past weekend I had the opportunity to hangout with some of the brightest upcoming SQL Server Professionals and a couple of old-timers. We were gathered in Orlando, FL by Andy Warren to work on the SQL Saturday Wiki . Essentially, the plans were to improve on the information that he had collected about organizing and running successful SQL Saturday events. We were locked in a room all day Saturday and our brains were drained of any information we had obtained from running our own events. Ove...

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PatrickLeBlanc

SQL Server 2008 R2 for the DBA Recording and PowerPoint

7/23/2010 1:15:54 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 3  -  Views: [329]

I recently had the opportunity to do two presentation on SQL Server R2 for the DBA. In the first session there were approximately 150 attendees and at the second there were approximately 400 attendees. The recording is available here and you can download the slide deck here . I would like to correct something I said about the Utility Control Point and Data-Tier applications. They are only available in SQL Server 2008 with Service Pack 2, SQL Azure and SQL Server 2008 R2. Service Pack 2 for SQL S...

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PatrickLeBlanc

.NET speaker Idol, Guess who won?

7/22/2010 2:57:31 AM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 5  -  Views: [231]

Last night (July 21, 2010) I had the honor of being a speaker at the Baton Rouge .Net User Group . This wasn't their normal meeting. It was their 3rd Annual Speaker Idol . The rules are as follows: 1. There are three judges that get to ask questions and settle tie breakers. 2. Each speaker has 15 minutes to speak. 3. The audience is not allowed to ask questions. 4. At the end of all the presentations the audience votes for the winner. The prizes were an MSDN subscription and a $75 gift card. Whe...

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PatrickLeBlanc

Free Data Warehouse Training - SQL Lunch #27 Let's Get Dimensional

7/21/2010 7:02:52 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 0  -  Views: [166]

Join Adam Jorgensen, tomorrow on the SQL Lunch to learn about Dimensional Modeling . Go to SQL Lunch and add this event to your calendar or use the link in this posting. To receive notifications about upcoming SQL Lunches please go here . Every week this month we will be hosting a lunch time meeting. Title: #27 - Let's Get Dimensional Add to Outlook : Add to Calendar Date : 7/22/2010 Speaker : Adam Jorgensen Join Meeting : https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usergroups/join?id=Z9N87J&role=attend ...

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PatrickLeBlanc

SQL Server 2008 R2 for the DBA Webcast

7/21/2010 6:42:35 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 3  -  Views: [203]

Tomorrow at 11:00 AM EST I will be giving a talk on SQL Server 2008 R2 for the DBA. Here is the description: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 provides a number of enhancements and new functionality, building on previous versions. Administration, database maintenance, manageability, availability, security, and performance, among others, all fall into the roles and responsibilities of the database administrator. Patrick Leblanc will go over the new features and functionality that will impact the DBA. If ...

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PatrickLeBlanc

Practice Your PASS Session on the SQL Lunch

7/18/2010 11:59:12 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 0  -  Views: [191]

We at the SQL Lunch would like to extend an invitation to all of the PASS speakers. If you are looking for a place to practice your PASS session please email us at webmaster@sqllunch.com . Don’t worry, you can have up to 90 minutes or you can break your session into small 30 minute sessions. It’s completely up to you. This is our way of saying thanks to all of you for giving your time and knowledge to all of us in the SQL Community. Also, it is completely up to you if the sessions are recorded a...

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PatrickLeBlanc

MDX Puzzle #3 Solution

7/15/2010 4:02:29 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 0  -  Views: [140]

Download Script Sorry that it’s taken me so long to write this post, but I have been a little busy with the SQL Lunch . I am back now, so let’s solve this puzzle. This puzzle introduced a new keyword, WITH, that can be used to create a calculated member that is only available for a single MDX query. Note that, after the query is finished executing the calculated member no longer exists. Also, introduced are three functions ROOT, AGGREGATE, and TOPCOUNT, which will all be explain later in this po...

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PatrickLeBlanc

Free T-SQL Training - SQL Lunch #25 (Transact-SQL Development and Deployment)

7/13/2010 2:50:32 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 0  -  Views: [186]

Join SQL Server MVP, Andy Leonard, tomorrow on the SQL Lunch to learn some snappy tips and tricks on Transact-SQL development and deployment . Go to SQL Lunch and add this event to your calendar or use the link in this posting. To receive notifications about upcoming SQL Lunches please go here . Every week this month we will be hosting a lunch time meeting. Title: #25 – Transact-SQL Development and Deployment Add to Outlook : Add to Calendar Date : 7/14/2010 Speaker : Andy Leonard Join Meeting :...

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PatrickLeBlanc

SQL Saturday #28 “Refer a Friend Contest”

7/12/2010 7:41:27 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 0  -  Views: [271]

With all the MSDN give away contests, I decided to add another. Here are the official rules for the twitter referral registration contest for SQL Saturday #28 in Baton Rouge, LA on August 14, 2010 on the campus of Louisiana State University. In case you haven't heard, SQL Saturday Baton Rouge has over 400 registrants as of early July. We're in Taylor Hall (formerly known as CEBA) on LSU campus. This isn't no community college, all of the rooms for SQL Saturday #28 feature stadium seating and mou...

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PatrickLeBlanc

Speaking at Greater New Orleans .Net User Group (GNO.NET)

7/12/2010 2:02:02 PM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 0  -  Views: [110]

This week I will speaking at the Greater New Orleans .Net User Group. My topic is Introduction to the SQL Server Profiler. If you want to learn some tips and tricks that you can use when trying to identify performance problems with your SQL Server stop by the meeting. Also, I will be giving away an MSDN subscription at the end of my presentation. Here are the meeting details. Meeting URL : http://tinyurl.com/0710-gno-net Time : 6:30 PM CST Location : New Horizons, 2800 Veterans Memorial, BLVD, M...

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PatrickLeBlanc

Free SSRS Training – SQL Lunch #23 (SSRS R2 – Shared Datasets & Report Parts)

7/9/2010 3:16:58 AM by PatrickLeBlanc  -  Comments: 1  -  Views: [290]

Join SQL Server MVP, Patrick LeBlanc, next week on the SQL Lunch to learn about Share Datasets and Report Parts in SSRS R2. Go to SQL Lunch and add this event to your calendar or use the link in this posting. To receive notifications about upcoming SQL Lunches please go here . Every week this month we will be hosting a lunch time meeting. Title: #23 – SSRS R2 (Shared Datasets and Report Parts) Date: 7/12/2010 Time: 11:30 AM CST Add to Outlook : Add to Calendar Speaker : Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Serv...

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