Rahul S. Bhujbal

Thursday, October 07, 2004

"Yukon" : Microsoft’s Next-Generation Data Management and Analysis Software

Hello Friends,

Last week I attended a seminar organized by Microsoft in Mumbai. The seminar was arranged to introduce Microsoft’s Next-Generation Data Management and Analysis Software, MS-SQL Server 2005 Beta 2, which is also codenamed as “Yukon”. Yukon is expected to come in the next summer. The seminar was conducted by Nauzad Kapadia, who is one of the topmost MVPs of India. The seminar was really invaluable to me. So I would like to share my knowledge and experience with you.

Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 Beta 2

It provides lots of new and improved functionalities, such as

  • A robust database for building dynamic applications
  • Strong XML support
  • Tools and features to enhance management and ease of use
  • Easy installation and setup
  • Scalability and performance
  • Deep integration with Visual Studio 2005
  • Robust security

    To keep your interest in this article, I would like to introduce you some of the most interesting, amazing and programmer friendly features of SQL Server 2005 Beta 2. Have a look at these :
  • Talk to database in any language :- Write your Stored Procedures and Triggers in any .Net Supported language like C#, VB, mgd C++, COBOL and off course with your own T-SQL.
  • Debug ur Stored Procedures :- Debug your stored procedure with SQL Server 2005’s new environment.
  • Management Studio :- Get a new and exciting environment to work in - the tool set : SQL Server Management Studio. It is the first database administration suite that allows you to manage DTS, Reporting Services and Notification Services applications. Whether you're a serious Transact-SQL developer or are new to SQL Server, the SQL Server tool set provides the flexible and intelligent architecture that you need to accomplish database tasks.
  • MAX :- The maximum size for VARCHAR and VARBINARY was 8,000 and for NVARCHAR 4,000. If you had data that potentially exceeded that size, you needed to use the TEXT, NTEXT, or IMAGE data types (known as Large Object data types, or LOBs). This was always a hassle because they were hard to work with, in both retrieval and action statements. Now This situation changes in SQL Server 2005 with the introduction of the MAX specifier. This specifier allows storage of up to 231 bytes of data, and for Unicode it is 230 bytes. When you use the VARCHAR(MAX) or NVARCHAR(MAX) data type, the data is stored as character strings, whereas for VARBINARY(MAX) it is stored as bytes. These three data types are commonly known as Large Value data types.
  • MARS :- Multiple Active Result Sets (MARS) lets you have concurrent access to more than one resultset on the same connection.
  • DDL Triggers :- We have always written triggers on DML statements (Insert, Update and Delete). But what about changes based on Data Definition Language statements, changes to the schema of a database or database server? It has not been possible to use triggers for that purpose—that is, until SQL Server 2005. In SQL Server 2005 you can create triggers for DDL statements as well as DML.
  • Ranking Functions :- SQL Server 2005 introduces four new ranking functions as:
    i. ROW_NUMBER() :- It was only possible in Oracle, but now it’s available in your SQL Server 2005.
    ii. RANK()
    iii. DENSE_RANK()
    iv. NTILE()
  • Recursive Queries :- A recursive query is a new query type that provides a hierarchical result set. Yukon includes Common Table Expressions (CTEs) that have recursive querying capabilities.
  • Exception Handling :- Have you ever written a try … catch block in a stored procedure ? No never before. Now SQL server 2005 Beta 2 provides us the facility to catch the exceptions in the procedures and triggers by using try and catch statements.
  • Datatype as XML :- Yukon provides new data type as XML. It provides the user with the flexibility to not only store data in XML columns but also create indexes on them.

Tuesday, October 05, 2004

Mind-Sphere : Don't Grow Old, Grow Up!

  • Don't Grow Old - Grow Up!

  • The first step toward maturity - Responsibility

    Don't kick the Chair. Be willing to account for yourself; don't blame others.
    Damn the Handicaps! - Full Speed Ahead. Don't make a handicap an excuse for failure.
    Five Ways to Ditch Disaster:
    Accept the inevitable; give time a chance.
    Take action against trouble.
    Concentrate on helping others.
    Use all of life while you have it.
    Count your blessings.

  • Action is for adults

    Belief is the Basis for Action. Know what you believe and act accordingly.
    Analyze Before You Act.
    Two Wonderful Words that Changed a Life. When the time for action arrives, don't hesitate.

  • Three great rules for mental health: Know yourself, Like yourself, Be yourself
    There's Only One Like You Learn to know yourself by:
    Cultivating moments of solitude.
    Breaking through the habit barrier.
    Developing excitement and enthusiasm.
    Conformity: Refuge of the Frightened. Be yourself by developing your own convictions and standards; then have the courage to live with them.
    Why is a Bore? Develop inner resources to avoid boring yourself and others.
    The Maturing Mind: Adventure in Adult Living. Develop your mind through intellectual activity.

  • Marriage is for grownups

    How to Get Along with Women. Here are seven ways:
    Give her appreciation.
    Be generous and considerate.
    Keep yourself attractive.
    Understand a woman's work.
    Be dependable.
    Share her interests.
    Love her.
    Father Come Home. Children need fathers too.
    How to Get Along with Men. Here are seven ways:
    Be good-natured.
    Be a good companion.
    Be a good listener.
    Be adaptable.
    Be efficient, not officious.
    Be yourself.
    Be glad you're a woman.
    The Rediscovery of Love. We must develop a more mature concept of love.

  • Maturity and making friends

    Loneliness: The Great American Disease.
    People are Wonderful. Learn to appreciate them.
    Why Should People Like You? They will like you if you like them and develop qualities of warmth that attract others.

  • How old are you?

    If You're Afraid of Growing Old, Read This. Learn some of the facts about aging.
    How to Live to be 100 and Like it. To live longer, develop attitudes that promote health of mind.
    Don't Let the Rocking Chair Get You. Work as long as you can.

  • Maturity of spirit

    The Court of Last Appeal. When all else fails, try God.
    The Food of the Spirit. Our spirit is nourished through prayer.