MCSA: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 - Session 2

The sample code does not exist on the CD but you can download the sample from the author site - here.

If this is your first time using SQL Server then I suggest doing this tutorial:  Basic Navigation in SQL Server Management Studio.

Data Type and Built-in Functions:

• Older blog post - Data Types
• MSDN Data Types
• Data Type Precedence
• Built-in Functions on MSDN

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MCSA: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 - Session 1

Introduction to SQL Server 2012

The slides that were used for the first session are available here.

Links:

• SQL Server 2012 hardware and software requirements
• Download the free full-featured trial version of SQL Server 2012
• Comparing features of each SQL Server 2012 edition

 

Microsoft Exam Videos

 

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SQL Server 2012 Certification at SBCS

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): SQL Server 2012 and the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Data Platform certifications are being offered at the School of Business and Computer Studies (SBCS).

The MCSA: SQL Server 2012 certification is designed to validate a set of essential skills and knowledge in SQL Server 2012. 

 

Earning the MCSE: Data Platform certification will showcase your skills in building and administrating data solutions both on-premises and in cloud environments and will qualify you for such jobs as database analyst and database designer.

 

The schedule for both certifications:

 

 

For more information or to register for the course contact Natasha Beckles.

 

 

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PASS Azure VC Meeting - Performance Tuning with Azure SQL Database

Topic: Performance Tuning with Azure SQL Database

Speaker:  Grant Fritchey, Product Evangelist Red Gate Software

Date: Friday April 26th 2013 12:00- 13:00 (GMT-06:00) Central Time

           ADD TO CALENDER

Where: Live Meeting Link

Summary: 

Just because you're using an Azure SQL database does not mean you can avoid tuning queries. Microsoft has throttling in place that could seriously impact your systems if your queries are using up lots of resources. This session will introduce you to the tools you have available to identify poor performing queries, such as dynamic management objects and others. You'll learn how to understand why a query is running slow using the Azure Portal execution plans. This understanding will enable you to fix your poorly performing queries. All in the cloud.

About Speaker:

Grant Fritchey is a SQL Server MVP with over 20 years’ experience in IT, including time spent in support and development. He has worked with SQL Server since 6.0 back in 1995. He has also developed in VB, VB.NET, C#, and Java. Grant has written books for Apress and Simple-Talk. He joined Red Gate Software as a Product Evangelist in January 2011.

 

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SQL Server MVP Award Renewed

I am truly humbled and honored to have received my second Microsoft MVP award. Today 885 people around the world were given the award and I am very excited to be one of them. For those who are not familiar with the program, the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award is Microsoft's way of saying thank you to individuals who share their technical expertise and real-world knowledge of Microsoft products with others.

After being an MVP for a year, I have a much better understanding and appreciation for the program. The MVP status is not only an award to celebrate people's contributions but it also provides a year of benefits that can be used to improve yourself and do more for the community. I am looking forward to using these opportunities to do more for my community this year.

Thank you Microsoft and MVP Lead Erika Vilches Gonzalez for the award. Special thanks to my family, friends, the SQL community, the MVP community and God for all the support and assistance.

Happy 20th anniversary MVP Award!

 

 

 

 

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Guest Lecture at UWI - Slide Deck

On Wednesday I gave a short, level 100 presentation about 'SQL Server Database Administration' to some postgraduate and undergraduate students. The presentation deck is available here.

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Windows Azure HDInsight Service

Earlier this week, Microsoft announced the release of their new HDInsight Service preview for Windows Azure. HDInsight Service brings an Apache Hadoop solution to the cloud and allows users to manage, analyze and report on big data. The new preview is directly integrated into the windowsazure.com portal and includes a number of enhancements and features such as simplified cluster deployment and the ability to deploy a cluster of up to 40 nodes.

For more information check out these sites:

HDInsight tutorials and walkthroughs

Scott Guthrie's  Blog

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