Patrick LeBlanc

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• Using a CTE with a T-SQL Pivot Statement
  During a T-SQL class that I was recently teaching I was asked if a PIVOT could be performed using a Common Table Expression (CTE).  In other words, instead of using the method outlined in SQL Server Books Online that uses a derived table, replace the derived table with a CTE.  I have never attempted this approach, but I was confident that it could be done.  Using the AdventureWorks database I initially wrote a T-SQL PIVOT statement that uses a derived table, which is as follows: USE AdventureWor...
  
  3/9/2010  by PatrickLeBlanc  Comments: 0
• Speaking at Charlotte, NC - SQL Saturday #33
  If you are near Charlotte, NC , I will be speaking at their SQL Saturday  on March 6th, 2010.  My session, SQL Server Compression 101  is at 1:30 PM.  This is the first SQL Saturday under PASS management.  If you have not registered for this event do so, seats are filling up quickly.  This is a free event where you can network and learn from some of the most talented SQL Server Professionals in the industry. Talk to you soon, Patrick LeBlanc Founder www.TSQLScripts.com and www.SQLLunch.com . Vis...
  Patrick LeBlanc, Speaking, SQL Saturday, Compression
  3/1/2010  by PatrickLeBlanc  Comments: 0
• SSRS – KPIs without Analysis Services
  During a recent project I was asked if it was possible to simulate Key Performance Indicator (KPI) images in SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) without Analysis Services. Off the top of my head I thought of a couple of things, but I decided to do a little searching before I embarked on my latest challenge. After one quick search I found a great video posted on SQL Share by SQL Server MVP, Jessica Moss , Designing a KPI in Reporting Services . Using her example, with a few modifications I was a...
  Business Intelligence, KPI, Reporting Services, SQL Server
  3/1/2010  by PatrickLeBlanc  Comments: 2
• Upcoming SQL Lunch Webinars
  If you haven’t attended a SQLLunch, I suggest that you put this upcoming lunch on your schedule. Brad McGehee, SQL Server MVP, will be presenting an Introduction to Graphical Execution Plans. Brad has over 15 years of SQL Server Experience and over 6 years of training. Add To Outlook: Add To Calendar Date and Time: 2/25/2010 11:30:00 AM CST Topic: Introduction to Graphical Execution Plans  Topic: #11-Introduction to Graphical Execution Plans One of the black arts of being a DBA is learning how t...
  Learning, Presenting, SQL Lunch
  2/24/2010  by PatrickLeBlanc  Comments: 1
• SQL Server 2008 - Adding Row Totals
  During a recent client engagement I was asked if there was a quick way to add a row containing totals for each corresponding column in the details row from a Tablix item. The tablix contained about 18 columns, and the person was entering an expression that would sum the value of the field in the corresponding detail rows. Fortunately, SSRS 2008 provides a very simple method that will perform this task. Assuming that you have a report that contains a Tablix item you can perform the following step...
  Reporting Services, Expressions
  2/22/2010  by PatrickLeBlanc  Comments: 0
• Free SQL Server Webinar Series
  Are you new to SQL Server?  Do you want to learn about its many features and capabilities? If so, please join me and many other SQL professionals for a series of SQL Server 101 webinars next week.  In my session, Beginning T-SQL (Monday, February 22, 2010 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST), you will learn the basics of T-SQL, including SELECT, UPDATE, INSERT, and simple to complex JOIN statements. To register for my session and many other sessions go to the February Webinars section on the Pragmatic Works w...
  Webinar, Speaking, Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server
  2/20/2010  by PatrickLeBlanc  Comments: 0
• Reporting Services Switch Function
  Recently a client requested to create a Reporting Services expression that emulated the CASE WHEN statement from T-SQL. The expression would use the selected parameter value to dynamically set the Go to report value of an Action under the properties of a textbox. In other words, if a user chose a parameter value of Report1 the go to report value would be set to Report1, if the user chose Report2 value would be set to Report2, so on and so forth. I looked at several varying expression methods to ...
  Reporting Services, Expressions
  2/19/2010  by PatrickLeBlanc  Comments: 0
• Reporting Services - Disable Loop Back Check
  I have been installing and configuring SSRS since the initial release.  I have always encountered several different caveats when upgrading to a newer version or adding a new server to a scale-out deployment.  In some cases there have been consistencies, but in many these differences vary.  These variances may have been attributed to the different installations and configurations.  One for example is disabling loop back check.  I have upgraded several SSRS 2005 instances to SSRS 2008 in the past ...
  Reporting Services
  2/17/2010  by PatrickLeBlanc  Comments: 0
• Technet and MSDN coming to Baton Rouge
  On March 4 th Microsoft will be hosting two half-day events in Baton Rouge, LA.  These free live learning sessions will explore the latest technologies that you can apply immediately.  Join your local event team and get the inside track on new technologies for IT professionals and take a tour of the latest .Net development tools.   Topics Include: ·          The Next Wave:  Windows Azure ·          What’s new in Visual Studio 201 ·          Hyper V: Tools to build the Ultimate Virtual Test Netwo...
  Free Events, Learning, Microsoft
  2/15/2010  by PatrickLeBlanc  Comments: 0
• Set your Warehouse Database to Read Only
  In most environments new data is added to the data warehouse daily, weekly or even monthly.  Even further, these changes typically occur during the ETL process.  This means that most of the activity is read only.  As a result, you may be able to set your warehouse database to READ_ONLY.  When you set your database to read only SQL Server does not bother to acquire any locks, meaning that your SELECT statements should never be in conflict with any other activity.  Therefore, you should get better...
  Performance, Data Warehouse, SQL Server
  2/15/2010  by PatrickLeBlanc  Comments: 0