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5.25" Floppies * 8-Tracks * SQL Server 2000 JDBC
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Free SQL Server 2000 Training CD!
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Want a Perfect Release? Every Time?
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January 27, 2005
1. Perspectives
2. News and Views
3. Events and Resources
4. Peer to Peer
5. Announcements
6. New and Improved
Sponsor: 5.25" Floppies * 8-Tracks * SQL Server 2000 JDBC
Sure, they were great technologies once, but try using them today! Microsoft's JDBC driver for SQL Server 2000 is built on technology that's more than 3 years old. You wouldn't try to run your CD on an 8-track player. Why would you run your business application with an old JDBC driver? DataDirect presents today's JDBC--the SpecjAppServer/ECPerf leader. Featuring Windows Authentication support, J2EE certification, and advanced 3.0 specification compliance for SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 7. The difference? Like comparing DVD to Betamax.
Try DataDirect Connect for JDBC. You'll never go back. Read more: http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=40B:7B3DB
1. Perspectives
by Brian Moran, [email protected]
A few weeks ago, Microsoft released SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4) to beta testers. Typically, service pack beta programs are by invitation only; however, SP4 is available to the general public. You can sign up for the beta program at http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=410:7B3DB . You'll also find information about how to get SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services SP2 and SQL Server 2005 Express SP2. Reporting Services SP2 includes many bug fixes and some useful enhancements, including client-side printing and new SharePoint Web parts for viewing and browsing reports on the Report Server.
SQL Server 2000 SP4 is a large update. I counted 236 entries in the fix list--SP3 had only 82. My favorite fix is "FIX: "Performance monitor shared memory setup failed: -1" error message when you start SQL Server." I do a lot of performance monitoring and troubleshooting, and this annoying bug kept key performance counters from working if certain monitoring tools, such as (but not limited to) Performance Monitor, were running during a SQL Server reboot.
SQL Server 2000 SP4 also introduces support for 64-bit AMD and Intel Extended platforms in Win16 on Win32 (WOW), which is a major new functionality. SP4 is the first service pack to support SQL Server's 64-bit release. Generally speaking, service packs contain bug fixes. It's rare to see such a major new feature added to a product in a service pack. Most people aren't using SQL Server's 64-bit version today; however, support for hardware platforms that can natively support 32-bit or 64-bit is a great feature. It lets you buy a machine today that will run 32-bit, but leverage your investment to take advantage of 64-bit when you need it. The beta nomination page doesn't have a complete list of SP4 fixes, but you can find the bug-fix list at http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=41E:7B3DB .
It goes without saying that you shouldn't deploy a beta service pack on a production machine. In fact, many of you won't have the time to test or play with a beta service pack at all. I often wait until a service pack is released before mentioning it. In this case, I started early because I think it's important that you know about the new 64-bit support Microsoft added, in case you're in the process of making a new hardware decision. If you are, you might very well want to consider a platform that lets you run 32-bit today, but 64-bit in the future.
Free SQL Server 2000 Training CD!
See why AppDev was voted THE BEST by readers of SQL Server Magazine...get a FREE SQL Server 2000 Training CD-ROM--a $95 value! Click the link below for your free SQL training CD.
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=416:7B3DB
2. News & Views
Have you used a product that saved you time or made your job easier? SQL Server Magazine is starting a new department featuring readers' favorite products. The Hands On page will let you share successes you've had with SQL Server-related products and services. Tell us your product-success story, and if we print your submission in the Hands On department, we'll send you a SQL Server Magazine t-shirt. Send your product suggestion with information about how the product helped you to products editor Dawn Cyr at [email protected]. Please put the words "Hands On" in the subject line.
[email protected]
"Where do you usually enforce data integrity?" Go to the SQL Server Magazine home page ( http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=41D:7B3DB ) and submit your vote for
3. Events and Resources
Learn how to improve business continuity and information lifecycle management with this analyst white paper, compliments of BMC Software. Discover the backup and recovery management strategies needed to keep mission-critical systems running. Download now!
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=403:7B3DB
March 20-23, Hyatt Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Florida. Don't miss this exciting event offering cutting-edge sessions by Microsoft and industry gurus. Attendees receive beta copies of SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005 and a chance to win a Harley-Davidson motorcycle! 800-438-6720 or 203-268-3204.
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=419:7B3DB
See the complete Windows IT Pro Network guide to Web and live events.
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=418:7B3DB
4. Peer to Peer
by Brian Moran, [email protected]
Q. When I use SQL Server Profiler to track performance problems, I sometimes notice large differences--as much as 2 or 3 seconds--between the duration for the SQL:BatchCompleted event and the SQL:StmtCompleted event. Why are the duration times different?
Read the answer to this question today at
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=409:7B3DB
Microsoft General Manager of SQL Server Business Intelligence Bill Baker spoke to SQL Server Magazine about the new BI features in SQL Server 2005 and how they can help you streamline delivery of business-critical information. Read the exclusive interview, "Building Better BI in SQL Server 2005" today at?
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=40A:7B3DB
In this week's blog, "Getting Ahead of the Curve on Yukon," Kevin Kline talks about the significant number and depth of improvements that Microsoft is making to SQL Server's next release. Microsoft has put a lot of effort into public training as well. By investing a few hours of time, you'll get a heads up on what's new in the next release. Kevin has been through every upgrade of SQL Server since version 4.21a and can attest that there has never been so much high-quality training material available so early in the product development cycle. Don't let it go to waste! Check out Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 Web site today and start reading, then tell Kevin what you think about SQL Server's upcoming release at
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=40E:7B3DB
Hot Threads: Check out the following hot threads, and see other discussions in our 30 SQL Server forums.
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=412:7B3DB
Development: Sorting and Ranking Query Results
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=408:7B3DB
T-SQL: Calculating Number of Days
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=404:7B3DB
Performance: Decoding Profiler Statistics on Backup
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=405:7B3DB
Administration: User-Permission Problem When Restoring Database
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=407:7B3DB
DTS: Padding a Field with the STUFF() Function
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=406:7B3DB
Hot Spot
DB Ghost builds directly from your source control system, validating your code as it builds, so the hassles of working with broken databases become a distant memory. DB Ghost can then compare and synchronize a target database giving you a perfect release. Every time. See for yourself:
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=415:7B3DB
5. Announcements
Order SQL Server Magazine today and save 30% off the cover price! Along with these great savings, you'll receive free access to every article ever published in the magazine--online! That's a library containing more than 5 years of tips, tricks, and how-tos! Click here to order:
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http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=40C:7B3DB
6. New & Improved
by Dawn Cyr, [email protected]
Ispirer Systems announced SQLWays 3.8, database-migration software that lets you transfer data, database schema, and business logic between different database platforms. The new release lets you migrate stored procedures and triggers from Informix Dynamic Server to SQL Server, Oracle, IBM DB2, Sybase, and MySQL database platforms. SQLWays 3.8 automatically converts most language constructions, including many specific Informix features--in particular, the Informix ability to return intermediate results from a procedure and resume the procedure's execution from the previous return point. Besides facilitating business-logic conversion, the product migrates Informix data and schema including tables, views, indexes, keys, relationships, constraints, and other table properties; provides advanced data-type mapping; and resolves identifier and reserved-word conflicts. Unlike solutions that depend on a combination of separate porting tools, SQLWays is an integrated solution that automatically resolves modifications between interdependent tables, views, and procedures. Pricing for SQLWays 3.8 starts at $295 for a 100-object license, and a free trial version is available at the vendor's Web site. For more information, contact Ispirer Systems at 877-734-7638, 770-319-2718,or [email protected].
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=41C:7B3DB
Get Data Integration for Small and Midsized Businesses
DB Software Laboratory announced Visual Importer Pro 6.5.5, a comprehensive data-integration tool that lets you perform high-speed data transfers from text files and ODBC source databases into SQL Server 2000 and 7.0, Oracle, or ODBC target databases. The application combines extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL), and design capabilities in one environment to simplify the creation and deployment of complex data warehouses and marts. Along with simple record transfer within one system, the product allows for cross-system data extraction and loading, which you can streamline by using calculations for data formatting, concatenations, and loading cross and pivot tables. The product also supports loading of multiple files. The product's simple interface requires no specialized programming or database-deployment skills; and because all stages of data processing are automated, the application eliminates the need for regular intervention and upkeep. The product's simplicity makes it especially suited for small businesses, schools, libraries, and other organizations that require simple, inexpensive integration solutions. Pricing for Visual Importer Pro 6.5.5 starts at $150 for a single-user license. Registered customers receive free updates and technical support. A free 30-day evaluation version is available at the vendor's Web site. For more information, contact DB Software Laboratory at [email protected].
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