I’ll be speaking for the SQL PASS Database Administration Virtual Chapter today at 12 PM Eastern time.  The topic will be Using XML to Query Execution Plans.  The abstract for the event is the following:

SQL Server stores its execution plans as XML in dynamic management views. The execution plans are a gold mine of information. From the whether or not the execution plan will rely on parallelism to what columns are requiring a key lookup after a non-clustered index seek. Through a the use of XML this information can be available at your fingertips to help determine the value and impact of an index and guide you in improving the performance of your SQL Server databases. In this session we’ll look at how you can begin to understand and query the structure of the execution plans in the procedure cache. Also, we’ll review how to uncover some potential performance issues that may be lurking in your SQL Server.

You can get to the event here.

I’ll be speaking for the SQL PASS Database Administration Virtual Chapter next week.  It’ll be on July 28 at 12 PM Eastern time.  The topic will be Using XML to Query Execution Plans.  The abstract for the event is the following:

SQL Server stores its execution plans as XML in dynamic management views. The execution plans are a gold mine of information. From the whether or not the execution plan will rely on parallelism to what columns are requiring a key lookup after a non-clustered index seek. Through a the use of XML this information can be available at your fingertips to help determine the value and impact of an index and guide you in improving the performance of your SQL Server databases. In this session we’ll look at how you can begin to understand and query the structure of the execution plans in the procedure cache. Also, we’ll review how to uncover some potential performance issues that may be lurking in your SQL Server.

If you register for the event ahead of time you will be entered into a drawing brought to us from CA, our event sponsor.  You can get to the event here.

I’ll be speaking for the SQL PASS Performance Virtual Chapter next week.  It’ll be on July 6 at 12 PM Eastern time.  The topic will be Performance Impacts Related to Different Function Types.  The abstract for the event is the following:

User defined functions provide a means to encapsulate business logic in the database tier.  Often the purpose of the encapsulation is to provide standard method access segments of data within the database.  Unfortunately, not all methods of creating user defined functions are equal.  In this session we’ll review the types of user defined functions and investigate the performance impact in selecting the different types

Goals:

• Identify purposes for creating user defined functions
• Discuss the types of user-defined functions
• Demonstrate performance impact in selecting different types of functions

You can get to the event here.

Last week I spoke at TechFuse 2010 and my topic was Getting to Know Your Indexes.  I thought I’d throw up a link to the presentation materials from the event.  TechFuse was a lot of fun and I got to spend some time chatting with Dan English (twitter | blog) and Lara Rubbelke (twitter | blog) about SQL Server 2008 R2.

From my session, I received some feedback and it came back a lot better than I had expected.  I hadn’t felt on my game that day and this presentation is usually pretty dry compared to others that I do.  On a scale of 1-7 I received the following scores:

• 6.6 – Speaker(s) demonstrated expertise on the subject matter
• 5.7 – Knowledge in this session will help me in the job role
• 5.4 – Content delivered met my expectations
• 5.6 – I enjoyed the subject matter

Some of the comments I received…

“A lot of useful information.”
“Good Info.”
“Lots of detail. Speaker very knowledgeable.”

If you saw me there and want to drop an additional comment, feel free to add a comment at SpeakerRate.

Also, if you saw me present on Application and Multi-Server Management at the SQL Server 2008 R2 launch event in Minneapolis I’d appreciate any feedback on that as well.

Almost time to hit the road… and I’m heading to SQL Saturday 31 in Chicago.  Rumor has it that this weekend will provide an awesome experience.  From the presentations being provided to the karaoke after party – I’m expecting a great time.

If you will be at SQL Saturday 31, please stop by and introduce yourself.  And if it suits your fancy, sit down and listen in on my topics.  I am scheduled for the following topics:

Using XML to Query Execution Plans

SQL Server stores its execution plans as XML in dynamic management views.  The execution plans are a gold mine of information.  From the whether or not the execution plan will rely on parallelism to what columns are requiring a key lookup after a non-clustered index seek.  Through a the use of XML this information can be available at your finger tips to help determine the value and impact of an index and guide you in improving the performance of your SQL Server databases.

Goals:

1. Discuss information available in an execution plan
2. Demonstrate use of XQuery to query execution cache
3. Demonstrate methods to performance tune

Extended Events – Work Smarter, Not Harder

There are many ways to performance monitor your SQL Server environment.  In this session we’ll review Extended Events, which is one of the newer SQL Server monitoring platforms.  Learn the ins and outs of how to get detailed information on the errors and events that occur within SQL Server and how to dig into the information.  With a few T-SQL statements, issues that could take weeks to research can be investigated in minutes.

Goals:

1. Define the architecture for Extended Events
2. Identify scenarios where Extended Event can be used to troubleshoot performance
3. Demonstrate solutions to real-world performance scenarios

I’ll be staying an extra day in Chicago after the conference, so if anyone has ideas on what I should do please leave a comment.  I haven’t been in Chicago since I was 10 or 11 years old so it’s probably changed a bit.  So far I have been told to get a hot dog from a street vendor and check out the piers.  Any other ideas are very welcome.

PASSMN Meeting Next Tuesday

The Minnesota SQL Server User Group (twitter | website) is meeting next week on Tuesday (4/20/2010).  The meeting should be smoking and I’m not meaning the 4-20 kind.  The meeting will start with a Visual Studio 2010 for the SQL Developers.  Next, Fusion IO (twitter | website) will be on of the presenters on SSD and they have an awesome giveaway – A DRIVE VALUED AT $7,000.  If you plan to attend, please, please, please RSVP so that we can order enough food.  We were a little too close last month and too little is always awkward.

I mentioned in a previous post that I was speaking at an SQL Server Virtual Conference.  It is a great event and if you haven’t checked it out yet it is definitely something to check out.  Great cost and value!

Here are some details from a recent press release.

SSWUG.ORG Hosts the Largest-Ever Online Technical Learning Event

Over three days, more than 120 sessions from 40 expert speakers will provide the most in-depth online technical learning resource event ever presented

Tucson, AZ, September 16, 2008: November 5, 6 and 7, 2008, SSWUG.ORG is presenting a comprehensive learning event for SQL Server, Business Intelligence, SharePoint and .NET Development technologies, at www.vConferenceOnline.com. The online event will present sessions in 12 simultaneous tracks from 40 different industry-recognized presenters. The conference, presented entirely online with broadcast-quality sessions and classes, includes full video of the presenters, downloadable session materials, transcripts and much more. In addition, attendees are not required to travel, instead being able to attend the conference from the comfort of their office or home.

“We’re excited to present this fall conference suite – in the June conference, according to our attendees, combined, they saved more than $2,500,000 in travel and conference expenses alone,” says Stephen Wynkoop, Editor and Founder for SSWUG.ORG. “This, combined with the amazing array of presenters, the decreased time away from the office and the complete learning environment provided by the vConferenceOnline tools means our attendees and exhibitors get an excellent, meaningful online event never before possible.”

SSWUG.ORG is combining four different conference disciplines in the comprehensive conference schedule. Attendees will be able to pick from Business Intelligence, SQL Server, SharePoint and .NET Developer technologies, all running concurrently. In addition, attendees are able to view sessions and download transcripts, scripts, examples and tutorials on-demand following the event.

Chris Shaw, Director of Virtual Conferences, outlines some of the concepts being addressed with the conferences: “We’re really looking to create an amazing community event. We want to make sure attendees are able to gain real-world insights into the technologies they use and support. They’ll also experience a wide array of technologies and, at the same time, they are able to come back, review sessions and pick up those finer points that may have been missed in sessions when they first are attended. The fact that you can review sessions on-demand after the original schedule means you won’t miss a single tip, and you can broaden your skill set by attending sessions from other disciplines,” said Shaw. “Our speakers are well-known book authors, Microsoft MVPs and recognized industry experts. Never before has such an incredible gathering of speakers been presented in an event like this, assuring that the information to be gained is top-notch and rock solid.”

The virtual conference also means people are more environmentally conscious, and at the same time learning in ways simply not possible at traditional conferences. From full transcripts to on-demand materials, real-time chats with speakers and networking with other attendees and vendors, attendees and exhibitors both win.

“The focus is on learning, networking, tips, tricks and techniques that you can put to use the minute you’ve finished with a session. More than 91% of our attendees say they can use what they’ve learned immediately in their jobs. Combine this learning with the eco-friendly online approach, the complete elimination of travel expenses for attendees, the interaction and learning tools provided, the expert speakers – you have a way to vastly increase your knowledge without breaking the bank or expending significant out of office time,” Shaw said.

Exhibitors and Partners include Title Sponsor Idera Software, online labs for attendees are provided by Maximum ASP. Other exhibitors and partners include Quest Software, B-Eye Network, SQL Sentry, AvePoint, SQL on Call and more.

“We’re amazed by the incredible response and can’t wait to bring the world’s largest online technology learning event for the community. This concurrent scheduling will let attendees get the best of all worlds; access to simultaneous sessions, exposure to other technologies and a great learning environment,” said Wynkoop.

About SSWUG.ORG and Bits on the Wire, Inc.

Tucson-based SSWUG.org (www.SSWUG.org) is the biggest online community site for database and development professionals in the world. With more than 500,000 registered users, daily columns about issues and technologies that impact the technical professional, weekly online video programs, tips and more, the site brings the community together to solve issues and stay up to date on industry trends. Bits on the Wire, Inc, also based in Tucson, is the parent company for SSWUG.ORG.

Check out this event…

SSWUG.org presents the SQL Server Virtual Conference Designed to bring useful technical sessions to your desktop along with the ability to interact with speakers and exhibitors in a lively forum where your questions will be answered during presentations or post-session.

Registration for the 3 day event is only $100, all inclusive.

See what we’re planning for the all new sessions. Click here.

We’re excited to present our 3rd SQL Server Virtual Conference, held with the same successful approach as the previous SQL Server Virtual Conferences.

Here’s some of the great content we’re putting together for you

• Be prepared for SQL Server 2008 and know why you should upgrade
• Overcome SAN Technology challenges to make your disk systems faster
• Learn about new T-SQL Enhancements
• Dive into Merge and Transactional Replication
• High Availability and how to achieve it

They have some really top-notch speakers (and me) presenting on some great topics.

I mentioned in a previous post that I’d delivered a few presentations on SQL Server 2008.  Nothing really more interesting to say about that today except that the SSIS presentation that I did is attached to this posting.

If there are any questions on any of the content, feel free to ask and I’ll respond either in a comment or in another blog post.