SQL Server 2012: Using SEQUENCE

A sequence is a user-defined schema bound object that generates a sequence of numeric values according to the specification with which the sequence was created. The sequence of numeric values is generated in an ascending or descending order at a defined interval and can be configured to restart (cycle) when exhausted. Sequences, unlike identity columns, are not associated with specific tables. 

In this link you have a nice article about Using SEQUENCE in SQL Server 2012 by Vinod Kumar.

You can also read more about SEQUENCE at MSDN here: CREATE SEQUENCE (Transact-SQL)

Contained database, new feature in SQL 2012

The main idea of contained database is to remove the independency between the Database Engine and the database. The contained databases are independent databases that do not require a login.

With Contained databases, there is only a small functional dependency on SQL Server Instance or in other words, the database is self-contained and all the objects will reside in the database itself.

Two articles from two diferent sources about the new feature in SQL 2012 "Contained Database".

SQLServerCentral: New features in SQL 2012, the contained database

SQLServerPerformance: Contained Databases in SQL Server 2012

Choosing a Tabular or Multidimensional Modeling Experience in SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services

A white paper that provides practical guidance to help BI professionals and decision makers decide whether SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services tabular or multidimensional modeling provides the best fit for your next BI solution.

With the release of SQL Server 2012, Microsoft addresses this goal and challenge with the introduction of the BI Semantic Model (BISM), a single model that can support a broad range of reporting and analysis while blending two Analysis Services modeling experiences behind the scenes:

• Multidimensional modeling, introduced with SQL Server 7.0 OLAP Services and continuing through SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services, enables BI professionals to create sophisticated multidimensional cubes using traditional online analytical processing (OLAP).

• Tabular modeling, introduced with PowerPivot for Microsoft Excel 2010, provides self-service data modeling capabilities to business and data analysts. The tabular modeling experience is more accessible to these users, many who have spent years working with data in desktop productivity tools like Excel and Microsoft Access.

Download White Paper: Choosing a Tabular or Multidimensional Modeling Experience in SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services

SQL Server 2012 Developer Training Kit BOM

A wiki at microsoft site that provides a comprehensive list of all the SQL Server 2012 Developer Training Kit Content.

See the list of all the content bellow:

Day 1: Introduction and Database Engine Topics
   Module 1: Introduction to SQL Server 2012
   Module 2: Introduction to SQL Server 2012 AlwaysOn
   Module 3: Exploring and Managing SQL Server 2012 Database Engine Improvements
   Module 4: SQL Server 2012 Database Server Programmability 

Day 2: Visual Studio, .NET and Business Intelligence Topics
   Module 5: SQL Server 2012 Application Development
   Module 6: SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Information Management
   Module 7: SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence 

Hands-On Labs
   Topic: SQL Server 2012 Database Engine
   Topic: Visual Studio 2010 and .NET 4.0
   Topic: SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Information Management
   Topic: SQL Server 2012 Business Intelligence
   Topic: Windows Azure and SQL Azure

Link to the SQL Server 2012 Developer Training Kit BOM.

Common Table Expressions (CTE) for SQL Server Developers

"What is A CTE?

A CTE is a temporary view that exists only in the scope of running query. A CTE is similar to a view but a CTE is embedded into the query. CTEs can be used in Stored Procedures, User Define Functions (UDFs), Triggers and Views but not in Indexed Views."

A article, by Dinesh Asanka, about CTE, is usage and advantages.

Common Table Expressions (CTE) for SQL Server Developers

SQL Server Samples

"The SQL Server 2012 samples provide a variety of databases and files that you can use to learn about new and existing features.

This article is the consolidated Readme for each sample in the SQL Server  2012 release. It provides prerequisite information, installation instructions, and links to the download location of each sample. This article will be updated periodically. Be sure to visit again."

The following article is a fantastic guide for the SQL Server 2012 samples. A most read.

SQL Server Samples Readme 

7 top tools for taming big data

Top-flight reporting, analysis, visualization, integration, and development tools that help you harness Hadoop.

"The industry now has a buzzword, "big data," for how we're going to do something with the huge amount of information piling up. "Big data" is replacing "business intelligence," which subsumed "reporting," which put a nicer gloss on "spreadsheets," which beat out the old-fashioned "printouts." Managers who long ago studied printouts are now hiring mathematicians who claim to be big data specialists to help them solve the same old problem: What's selling and why?"
A article by Peter Wayner, InfoWorld, about 7 top tools for taming big data:

• Jaspersoft BI Suite
• Pentaho Business Analytics
• Karmasphere Studio and Analyst
• Talend Open Studio
• Skytree Server
• Tableau Desktop and Server
• Splunk

You can read the article in here.

What’s New in SSIS for SQL Server 2012

A slide deck, by Matt Masson, for the What’s New in SQL Server Integration Services in SQL Server 2012.

Watch the Slide Deck here: What’s New in SSIS for SQL Server 2012 

New T-SQL Features in SQL Server 2012

A short article for developers, in sqlserverperformance.com, lists some of the new T-SQL features in SQL Server 2012.

Some are great like Paging Data (now without workarounds) and Lag & Lead, others are simple but very useful and wanted like IIF and CHOOSE.

Read the article here: New T-SQL Features in SQL Server 2012

New CDC components in SQL Server 2012

Matt Masson gives us a walkthrough of the new CDC task and components in SQL Server 2012.

He writes about the CDC Control Task, CDC Source and CDC Splitter.

Read the walkthrough here: CDC in SSIS for SQL Server 2012

Righthand Dataset Debugger Visualizer

Righthand Dataset Debugger Visualizer is a great extension for Visual Studio. It's an MDI application that lets you inspect DataSet structure and all it's data, and give also some useful operations on DataSet. 

Can find the Extension on the following link: Righthand Dataset Debugger Visualizer

Revista PROGRAMAR nº 34 - Abril 2012

Já está disponível nas "bancas" a edição nº 34 da revista PROGRAMAR. Uma revista sem dúvida muito interessante. Destaco nesta edição os artigos "Mobile World" e "Microsoft Powerpivot como ferramenta de BI".

Segue a lista dos artigos desta edição da revista e o link para download.

Artigos

Tema de capa

• Mobile World

A programar

• Geração de Números Aleatórios - Parte 4
• Introdução ao HTML5
• Dependency Injection com Ninject
• Pascal
• Aquisição e Inspecção de Dados em Python
• XNA: Ataque no Quintal - Parte 1
• SEO

Análises

• CSS 3

Visual (Not) Basic

• XML Literals

Comunidades

• BizTalk Server - Transformar Arquivos de Texto (Flat Files em XML)
• Segurança na Web - Parte 1

No Code

• Microsoft Powerpivot como ferramenta de BI
• Análise do Tráfego de Rede - Facebook
• Entrevista ao Professor Pedro Ribeiro

Download da revista aqui: Revista Programar nº 34 - Abril 2012

Programar para Android

Para quem pretende dar os primeiros passos na programação em Android, está disponível um excelente artigo na pplware escrito por Carlos Rodrigues e José Afonso.
São dadas indicações desde a instalação e requisitos, até à criação de um pequeno projecto.

Uma excelente ajuda são também as samples disponíveis no SDK, as quais estão disponíveis para download através do Eclipse.

Link para o artigo: Vamos começar a programar para Android?

Silverlight PivotViewer

A article by Shai Raiten about how to start with the Silverlight PivotViewer.

This article guides us through 7 simple steps:

1. Creating a Collection
2. Add Items
3. Preview
4. Add Filters To Collection
5. Add Collection Properties
6. Publish
7. Adding PivotViewer to Your Silverlight Application

Article link: Working With Silverlight PivotViewer

Planning and Deploying Microsoft SQL Server PowerPivot

A whitepaper which is highly recommend to read before planning and deploying PowerPivot. 

Microsoft SQL Server PowerPivot Planning and Deployment

PowerPivot is an amazing Self-Service BI tool spanning Excel, SharePoint, and SQL Server 2008 R2. The whitepaper will help prepare for the new and different concepts for a successful PowerPivot deployment.

Gartner: Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2012

Gartner's annual list of top 10 strategic technology trends have the potential to affect individuals, businesses and IT organizations. This year's list has been heavily influenced by the growing importance of mobile computing.

Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2012

New features in PowerPivot for Excel with SQL Server "Denali"

In the below link we can find a brief overview of some new features that SQL Server Team have introduced with the CTP3:

• Diagram View
• User defined hierarchies
• Perspectives
• Support for Multiple Relationships
• Calculation Area
• Advanced Tab
• Reporting Properties
• New DAX Functions
• Sort by Other Column
• Add Values to Rows and Columns

What’s new in PowerPivot for Excel with SQL Server Code Name "Denali" CTP3

The video below give us a brief overview of 3 key features: Diagram View, user defined hierarchies and perspectives.

SQL Server 2012 White Paper

The best way to begin in SQL Server 2012 is the "SQL Server 2012 What's New White Paper" ( download here ) for an overview of the new features, benefits... 

SQL Server 2012 is Generally Available!

 

SQL Server 2012 Virtual Launch Event

"Go Further. Forward. Faster. with Microsoft SQL Server 2012!" - SQL Server 2012 Virtual Launch Event. All sessions available online. Free registration

SQL Server 2012 Virtual Launch Event

Productivity Power Tools

A set of extensions to Visual Studio Professional (and above) which improves developer productivity. A "most have" for all developers.

A list of some extensions to Visual Studio:

• Quick Find
• Enhanced Scrollbar
• Searchable Add Reference Dialog
• Organize Imports for Visual Basic
• Solution Navigator
• Tab Well UI
• Auto Brace Completion
• Triple Click

Can find all the information about this Extension in the following link: Productivity Power Tools

To install this extension:

1. In Visual Studio 2010 navigate to Tools -> Extension Manager,
2. Click on the on-line Gallery Button and search for "Productivity Power Tools",
3. Once you find it, select the Download button.

Ditto clipboard manager

Ditto is an extension to the standard windows clipboard. It saves each item placed on the clipboard allowing you access to any of those items at a later time. Ditto allows you to save any type of information that can be put on the clipboard, text, images, html, custom formats, .....

Ditto webpage