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.