SQL Saturday #492 Follow Up – A Window into Your Data

Thanks for attending my session on window functions in TSQL. I hope you learned something you can take back and use in your projects or at your work. You will find an link to the session and code I used below. If you have any questions about the session post them in comments and I will try to get you the answers.

Questions and Comments

1. Does RATIO_TO_REPORT exist in SQL Server? It is in Oracle.
   • Currently this function is not available in SQL Server
   • Here is the equivalent functionality using existing functions in SQL Server:

     • OrderAmt / SUM(OrderAmt) OVER (PARTITION BY OrderDate)

     • This example can use the source code I have referenced below. It uses the current value as the numerator and the sum by partition as the denominator. While not a simple function, the equivalent is still fairly simple using window functions to help.
2. Demo issues with Azure SQL Database
   • During the session I ran into an issue with Azure SQL Database. It turns out that the following two functions are not supported there.
     • PERCENTILE_CONT
     • PERCENTILE_DISC

Slides, Code, and Follow Up Posts

The presentation can be found here: A Window into Your Data

The code was put into a Word document that you can get here: TSQL Window Function Code

This session is also backed by an existing blog series I have written.

T-SQL Window Functions – Part 1- The OVER() Clause

T-SQL Window Functions – Part 2- Ranking Functions

T-SQL Window Functions – Part 3: Aggregate Functions

T-SQL Window Functions – Part 4- Analytic Functions

Microsoft Resources:

• OVER Clause: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189461(v=SQL.110).aspx
• Analytic Functions: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh213234(v=sql.110).aspx

SQL Saturday #437–Boston BI Edition 2015–You Can Still Analyze Data with T-SQL

Thanks for attending my session on analyzing data with TSQL. I hope you learned something you can take back and use in your projects or at your work. You will find an link to the session and code I used below. If you have any questions about the session post them in comments and I will try to get you the answers.

The presentation can be found here: Analyzing with TSQL

The code was put into a Word document that you can get here: Code to support the analysis with TSQL Sessions

This session is also backed by an existing blog series I have written.

T-SQL Window Functions – Part 1- The OVER() Clause

T-SQL Window Functions – Part 2- Ranking Functions

T-SQL Window Functions – Part 3: Aggregate Functions

T-SQL Window Functions – Part 4- Analytic Functions

Microsoft Resources:

• OVER Clause: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189461(v=SQL.110).aspx
• Analytic Functions: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh213234(v=sql.110).aspx
• CUBE, ROLLUP, GROUPING SETS: : https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb522495(v=sql.105).aspx

SQL Saturday#197–Omaha Recap

This was the second SQL Saturday hosted in Omaha.  I loved to see how the event grew from the first event until now.  John Morehouse ( T | B ) and team did another stellar job organizing this event. I know they packed the house

Having taken part in the first event, I found it spectacular that the speaker list was so diverse.  It is great to see so many SQL Server pros come out and speak at these events.

Part of the fun for me was bringing my 11-year old daughter along.  Many of you, speakers, attendees, and sponsors were kind to her and she had a good time, even though much of it was spent using my Surface to watch Netflix.    As a speaker, this was a way to spend some time on the road with her and to introduce one of my children to what I do when I travel to these events (one of my sons will be joining me in Fargo).

I do have to say that the food, both at the speaker’s dinner and for lunch were awesome!  If you are looking for an event that will feed you well, be sure to try this event next time around.

I was able to attend a few of the sessions, but I wanted to mention that the SQL Server vs Oracle: The Throwdown! was really good.  As a cross-over platform developer (check out my Oracle for MSBI Tips), it was great having a SQL Server Pro, David Klee (@kleegeek), and an Oracle Pro, Joe Grant (@dba_jedi), co-present.  Nice work guys!

Finally, I presented on Building BI Solutions with Excel 2013.  I have uploaded the slides to the event site.  Until next time.

Are You Signed Up for 24 Hours of PASS–Business Analytics?

If you have not signed up for the 24 Hours of PASS-Business Analytics you should be.  This is a great chance to hear 12 speakers (they will be repeated in the following 12 hours).  Topics are varied from Big Data to Strategy to Collaboration.  Most importantly you can’t beat the price to hear speakers like Denny Lee, Peter Meyers, and Stacia Misner to name a few.

I get the privilege of moderating two of the sessions: Session 8:  What Is Big Data? by Mark Whitehorn and Session 10: Visualizing Data with Power View by Sean Boon.

Finally, I heard Marc Reguera talk about how Microsoft Finance uses Power View at a different event.  If you want to see Power View put into practical use by a business user, I highly recommend you check out his session.  I think it is the final piece of the puzzle to join the technology with the business.

I hope you all take the opportunity to join us for this compelling and free event preview to the PASS Business Analytics Conference in Chicago on April 10-12, 2013.

PASSMN–Passing the Baton: A Board Transition Story

Each year the Minnesota SQL Server User Group elects new board members and resets its leadership team.  I have been on the board for the past three years during which we switched term lengths to two years with staggered elections, but more about that later.

During the PASS Summit this past year I had the privilege of hosting a table during the Chapter Leaders meeting on building boards and recruiting leadership for SQL Server User Groups.  First, I have to say, leadership teams/boards come in many flavors, counts, etc.  For instance, some groups are managed by one or two people who are truly passionate about the community and really enjoy leading the groups.  Other groups, such as ours, have regular elections with as few as three and as many as eight on the board.  While I may spend more time later discussing the pros and cons of various approaches, this post is about the peaceful transition within our user group.

First a bit of history, I have worked with the Minnesota SQL Server User Group for a number of years.  We joined PASS quite a while ago but a few years after we started.  After joining we did not change our organizational structure.  We have always had a board of four or more.  We currently have six roles: Chair, Corporate Relations, Programs, Membership and Treasurer, Technology, and SQL Saturday.  We added SQL Saturday last year to have someone focused entirely on getting that program rolling, Paul (@mnDBA) did great!  I have held the Corporate Relations role and this year I was the Chair.

Elections and Role Distribution

Prior to last year, our terms were one year.  However, we rotated the entire board at least once which is very difficult. So, starting last year, we rotate 1/2 of the board each year with terms running two years.  What is really cool about our election process is that we are able to recruit new board members each year allowing PASSMN to take on some new ideas without issue.   We have also done a good job of mixing up members between consulting and nonconsulting members.  We also try to limit a company’s participation to one board member.  This process has been successful for years as this blend has motivated time changes, content direction and even sponsorships through the years.

Another unique part of our board election is that members are voted to the board, not to a role.  This is strategic as it allows the members to rotate roles as well as work with each other to find a good fit for them within the board.  It also means that the nominees understand that they will work with their fellow members to distribute responsibility.

Transition Lunch

That leads us to today.  We had our transition lunch 12/12/12 at 12:12. (Yes, that was the actual appointment time, and we survived.)  Once again we had a good time as volunteers reflecting on what happened in the past year, allowing the new board to select roles, and handing off insights as we have them.  And thus, it is the beginning of the end for me as a board member.

It’s Been Great!

Personally, it has been and will continue to be great working with such a good group of people.  Thanks to Andy (@SQLQuill)  and Tim (@tjplas) for the time these past couple of years and we welcome Shirley (@SQLLatina), Will (@williamweber), and Mike (@SQLMD) to the board along with returning members Paul, Josh (@SQLJosh) and Bill (@billpreachuk).  I plan to continue working with the board and helping with some of their new initiatives this next year.  Let’s keep the tradition of quality and fun going.