This is going to be my submission for the SQL Heroes contest. Have you entered? I don't really care about winning but it would nice if it kick started a community generating useful SQL tools. I may get in a few point revisions in before September especially if I get some good feedback.
I was totally going to create a set of SSRS reports that combine the historic data from the data collectors with real time OS info from WMI. However, the GUI\Manageability team did such a great job that my UI skills pale in comparison. I changed directions at the last minute after RTM.
Please check it out and let me know what you think. I have been staring at this project for the past week+ so my perspective may be off. Let me know if something doesn't make sense. Here is the description:
QPee Tools 1.0QPee Tools is set of tools to log SQL Server 2008 query plans, identify plan regressions and performance problems because of plan regressions. It utilizes the query_hash and query_plan_hash features introduced in SQL Server 2008 along with the execution dynamic management views and functions.QPee is built around a logger stored procedure and job. The logged query plans allow for comparisons with what is in the procedure cache and\or currently executing. Two tools are provided to assist with this analysis. See usage.sql for more information on these tools. usp_Now - This is like Activity Monitor on steroids. Not only does it show what is currently executing, the current query plan, the previous query plan(if any) and various stats but it goes beyond just reporting on cumulative totals for CPU and IO. Cumulative totals do not provide a lot of value if you need to see what is currently pegging the system. usp_CheckCache - You can run this against what is currently in the procedure cache to see if any queries are using new plans. For example, you could use this after applying a service pack or hotfix to see if there were any negative optimizer changes.If either of these tools show that you are currently using a suboptimal plan, you can use the logged xml plan in a plan guide. usp_PlanLogger_SchemaChange - There are valid reasons for plans to change like adding an index. This is a utility that removes plans that reference changed objects from the query plan logging table.
QPee Tools 1.0QPee Tools is set of tools to log SQL Server 2008 query plans, identify plan regressions and performance problems because of plan regressions. It utilizes the query_hash and query_plan_hash features introduced in SQL Server 2008 along with the execution dynamic management views and functions.QPee is built around a logger stored procedure and job. The logged query plans allow for comparisons with what is in the procedure cache and\or currently executing. Two tools are provided to assist with this analysis. See usage.sql for more information on these tools.
usp_Now - This is like Activity Monitor on steroids. Not only does it show what is currently executing, the current query plan, the previous query plan(if any) and various stats but it goes beyond just reporting on cumulative totals for CPU and IO. Cumulative totals do not provide a lot of value if you need to see what is currently pegging the system.
usp_CheckCache - You can run this against what is currently in the procedure cache to see if any queries are using new plans. For example, you could use this after applying a service pack or hotfix to see if there were any negative optimizer changes.If either of these tools show that you are currently using a suboptimal plan, you can use the logged xml plan in a plan guide.
usp_PlanLogger_SchemaChange - There are valid reasons for plans to change like adding an index. This is a utility that removes plans that reference changed objects from the query plan logging table.
Later on, I am going to ask for contest votes but only if you think it is the best submission. Download here.
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P.S. Whooh.... Now that my vacation is over and this is submitted, I have whole backlog of posts to write. As a teaser, one of these will be an discussion eFight with my BrentO. He is sooooooooooo pwnt and he doesn't even realize it yet. hehe. Stay tuned.
I got the SQL Pass community connector email this past Friday and the SQL Heroes contest got top billing. I really hope that gives the contest the "kick in the nads" that it needs. I would love to see tons of cool utilities and thingy-ma-bobs for SQL Server. Here is the current list of SQL related releases on CodePlex. The contest really has not gotten much attention from the SQL blogosphere. I am not sure if that is out of competition or lack of interest.
I am working on an entry. Slowly working on an entry. It is almost done but it seems like the last 4-6 hours of work I put in on it has been spread across weeks... What is my entry? Top Secret! Actually, I am thinking about making a big change to my entry at the last minute when RTM comes out so I don't want to spill the beans just yet.
The full contest rules are here. The blog can be found here.
Zain announced that there will be a Second Life Virtual Launch April 26th. It looks like the sessions are the same as the live events. That means I can mix and match VS and Windows 2008 sessions since I have already attended the SQL track in Dallas. Here are the details from Zain.
If you have not had a chance to mess around with SQL Server 2008 much yet, I highly recommend you checking it out. They are not 400 level sessions but they are not marketing fluff either.
I am going to be at the launch event today. I will be at posting updates on Twitter from my phone if you would like to follow. Click here.
TechCrunch reports that google is going to be entering the cloud data services market. Actually, they are going to make available to the public what is already running production google apps. This is after Microsoft announced their public free beta of SSDS and Amazon launched simpledb.
What does this mean for the DBA? That is hard to say. I find it hard to believe a round trip over SSL to a remote data center will provide the performance needed for enterprise apps. I don't know enough about it to speculate yet. Denis Gobo posted about this topic when amazon launched. Check it out. Good info.
They are having another contest. The full details including legalese can be found here. You enter posting something cool on codeplex running on SQL Server 2008. What are the prizes?
8. WHAT IS/ARE THE PRIZE(S)?
Fifteen (15) finalists will receive recognition as SQL All Stars and will be nominated for SQL Server MVP 2009 status.
Five (5) Grand Prize winners will each receive each receive an HP EX470 MediaSmart Home Server with Microsoft Windows Home Server software. Estimated Retail Value, $599.99US. Alternative prizes will be considered where the recipient resides in a locale where export restrictions prohibit purchase or delivery of the grand prize.
Again the full details can be found here.
The big news of the week was the HH{H} launch. A lot of marketing fluff. Not just from MS but from vendors trying to ride the wave. That said, I think the rest of the year is going to be really exciting technology wise.
There are some good webcasts at the virtual event site through the slick but slightly buggy silver light interface. Check it out.
The MS SQL site got a facelift. I suspect it will replace the original site soon. Props to ThePremiers for breaking it.
Dan reports the return of the tsql debugger, object search and the new activity monitor. He demo'd these features and the other manageability features at the launch event.
SQL Server 2008 is setting records. Most impressively in loading 1TB+ in 30 minutes with SSIS. Read it on the SQLPerf site here and here, the SQLCAT site, Erin's blog, and Denis's blog.
Peter has the scoop about issues with SQL Server 2008 and leap year. Whoops :) Good thing they didn't launch today.
Linchi comments on the intel hexacore procs that should hit Q3-4.
Derek C drops knowledge on the SQL Server 2008 performance data collector.
This might be HAWTALTA to some but I consistently here people complaining about the speed of SQLWB. Jeff posts links to resources.
Bonnie posts the 2008 version of samples on codeplex. Direct dl here. Details here.
Check out this very detailed post on SNAC for the horse's mouth.
Andy has a no nonsense post on sparse columns.
I should have mentioned this last week. Simon did a great job in detailing full text in SQL Server 2008 in a series of posts. Start here.
Have a great weekend!
Full story here.
"Technology alone is not the answer," Brokaw said. "It will do little good to wire the world if we short-circuit our conscience."
Kalen Delaney's first DVD on SQL Server internals is available for viewing online. More details here.
Connor Cunningham, formerly on the SQL query optimizer team, is now blogging at SQL Skills and is whipping out posts on optimizer related topics at a frantic pace. Check out the latest here or all of them here.
Dan Jones rebuffs the idea that SQL Server 2008 is a "dot release".
CTP6 may or may not be coming soon. Chris says that CTP5 will be given away at the HHH launch. This is in contrast to the "feature complete" CTP that was mentioned in the roadmap but who know...
Mario B has raised some eyebrows with his post on scheduler troubleshooting and SOS_SCHEDULER_YIELD waits and the possibility that is is not CPU pressure always. Linchi posted about it here and then SQLServerPedia posts shortly afterwards. Anyway, check out Mario's tools.
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Most regional lauch events are accepting RSVP's now. I suggest you sign up with the quickness.
http://www.microsoft.com/heroeshappenhere/register/default.mspx