Mitch Wheat - Treat the cause, not the symptoms!

I came across this cautionary tale from the SQL Server Development Customer Advisory Team, while looking for information on virtual log files (VLF):

The ISV created an empty database, setup a backup device, set the database recovery model to FULL, and then started loading data. They also intended to backup the transaction log occasionally to keep the log a manageable size. However, at the end of the load process although the database contained 92 GB of data, the log was only 1.2 GB. One would have expected that the transaction log in the case of FULL recovery would have been approximately the same size as the data.

After confirming the database was in FULL recovery mode, they tried BULK LOGGED and got the same result!

The reason? The database had never had an initial FULL backup!

From Books Online ‘Working with Transaction Log Backups’:

‘Before you can create the first log backup, you must create a full backup, such as a database backup or the first in a set of file backups. […]‘

Because there was no initial FULL database backup, the database ‘effectively’ remained in SIMPLE recovery mode; SQL Server was truncating the transaction log automatically.

So, for FULL and BULK-LOGGED recovery models, create a full database backup right after creating a database. (This initial Transaction Log backup will be ‘empty’ because the database contains no data)

Old news, but the SQL Server Migration Assistant now supports migrating from MySQL and Access to SQL Azure. The latest SQL Server Migration Assistant is available for free download here:

1. SSMA for MySQL v1.0
2. SSMA for Access v4.2
3. SSMA for Oracle v4.2
4. SSMA for Sybase v4.2

Quick comparison table taken from an excellent MSDN article: Comparing the Timer Classes in the .NET Framework Class Library 

When I first heard about the SQL Server Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) certification, it immediately struck me as something worth doing. Then I found out how much it cost! Microsoft have recently announced changes to the original program. In order to pursue the SQL Server Microsoft Certified Master certification you still need the pre-requisites MCITP: Database Developer 2008 (Exam 70-450) and MCITP: Database Administrator 2008 (Exam 70-451). If you work with SQL Server, these 2 exams are relatively easy (unlike the rest of the MCM). 

The Original Program:

• Cost: $18,500 for 3 continuous weeks of onsite training, based in Seattle
• Three written multiple-choice exams during the training
• One final six-hour lab

This has some obvious drawbacks: US$18,500 is a considerable sum of money to find in one go (even with the strong Aussie dollar), and that’s in addition to taking 3 continuous weeks away from work. Plus the course only happened in Redmond, so add travelling costs as well. 

The New Program:

• Certification and training are separate
• A written multiple-choice knowledge exam (88-970): cost US$500, taken at Prometric testing centres
• A 6-hour lab exam (88-971): cost US$2,000, taken at selected secure Prometric testing centres

Microsoft will no longer provide training for the SQL MCM. Instead, training will provided by approved third-party vendors. I’ve just visited the Prometric site but cannot find any test centres for the MCM exams in Australia!

If the MCM is something you are interested in, Microsoft (in partnership with SQLskills) has made 40 hours of free introductory training available for the MCM program, which you can download here. These videos give an indication of the breadth of material you need to know for each area (rather than everything you actually need to know). There is also an excellent reading list put together by SQLskills at Microsoft Certified Master - SQL Server Online Training - Links and Study Aids

(Ref.: Brent Ozar’s blog, Paul Randell’s blog)

I really enjoy our User Group’s end of year ‘DevJam’ events (despite the fact that it involves a bit of work to organise). It is great to see so many local developers willing to give up their time to present a talk. Around 50 people attended last Thursday’s event, so it was a relief when the pizza finally arrived. A crowd of developers deprived of pizza is a riot waiting to happen ;) !

It was a great line-up of topics with a nice mixture of content, and every presenter did a great job of informing and entertaining. Every talk received a good number of audience votes, but we have to have some winners in order to give out the prizes! The favourite talks (in order) were:

1. Adrian McGrath  - WPF: Design Time Data
2. Alistair Waddell  - A simple approach to test your data driven app
3. Michael Minutillo - Dynamic UI in WinForms

Thank you to all the sponsors who help make these events possible: Microsoft (for the venue and VS2010 MSDN door prize), UGSS for the pizza and refreshments, JetBrains, Joe Albahari, RedGate, TekPub, Scooter Software, DevExpress, TechSmith. [The presenter VS2010 with MSDN prize was donated by myself from the MVP program.]

Thank you to everyone who attended DevJam and meetings throughout the year. Special thanks to Dave Gardner who fetched and delivered the beer.

[ If you are interested in running one of these events at your User Group, I put together some notes here:  Running a DevJam Community Event ]

Here’s the line-up of talks for our end of year DevJam community event: 

• Mike Bain - Using SpecFlow and WatiN
• Michael Minutillo - Dynamic UI in WinForms
• Piers Williams – Rx:Reactive Framework
• Alistair Waddell - A simple approach to test your data driven app
• Dave Gardner - NuGet: The caramel goodness of open source in your projects
• Darren Helsby - Asynchronous programming in .NET 5
• Sam Ritchie - Ditching BizTalk for NServiceBus
• Adrian McGrath - WPF: Design Time Data

Where and when is DevJam happening?:

• DATE:   Thursday, Dec 2nd, 5:30pm
• VENUE:  Enex100 Seminar Room, Level 3, 100 St Georges Terrace, Perth
• COST:   Free. All welcome

There will be pizza and refeshments provided. Not to mention some great prizes!…