I know that I did just that, for years.  It wasn’t until I was trying to performance tune some existing code that I realized I hadn’t actually taken caching of data and execution plans into account.  So all those modified stored procedures that I was so proud of might not actually be faster than the first generation of procedures because I hadn’t checked to ensure that I was testing cached programs against uncached programs (and, by extension, the data used by those programs).  That’s easy enough to fix with a test harness.  Test harness were originally an actual, physical harness used by engineers to clamp down parts of an electrical or mechanical device they were prototyping.  Ours is no different.  It locks down all of the assumptions about our code (like my early, false assumption that I didn’t need to clear the caches) and adds a metric or two for good measure – literally – so we can better measure what’s happening in that code.

Here’s what my test harness looks like:

/* Transact-SQL test harness by Kevin Kline, http://KevinEKline.com, Twitter at kekline */

/* Flush dirty pages from the buffer to the database files. */

CHECKPOINT;

/* Flush the data cache and procedure cache, respectively. For DEV environments only! */

DBCC DROPCLEANBUFFERS;

DBCC FREEPROCCACHE;

/* Enable statistics tracking for IO and timings. Remember, SET commands remain enabled during a session until disabled. */

SET STATISTICS IO ON;

SET STATISTICS TIME ON;

-- Whatever SQL code you'd like to process goes below.

SELECT SalesOrderID

FROM Sales.SalesOrderHeader H

WHERE CustomerID = 344

GO

SET STATISTICS IO OFF;

SET STATISTICS TIME OFF;

/* Textual Execution Plans, if desired.

SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT ON;

SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT OFF;

*/

I also like to include the execution plans a lot of the time.  You might wonder why I don’t save the execution plans for the GUI in SSMS?  Well, I’m a big advocate of scripting in general because I like to automate activities.  By pulling the execution plans using scripts, I can use SQLCMD to schedule a large number of query executions during the evening and have the results ready for analysis when I come back into the office in the morning.  Workin’ smarter, not harder, Baby!

So how does this test harness work for you?  Do you use other elements in yours?  If so, share your experiences here!

Thanks,

-Kevin

-Follow me on Twitter

Here are a hand full of cool migration tools worth mentioning:

Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for MySQL: Migrate from MySQL to SQL Azure or SQL Server with ease.  Plus, here are a few related Knowledge Base (KB) articles:

Azure SQL Service: Database Migration To Sql Azure
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2212855/en-US

Azure SQL Service: Database Migration To Sql Azure
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2212990/en-US

Azure SQL Service: Developing Applications For Sql Azure
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2213496/en-US

SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Sybase: Migrate from Sybase ASE to SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 R2.

SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Microsoft Access: Migrate from Access to SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 R2 and SQL Azure.

SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Oracle: Migrate from Oracle to SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008 or SQL Server 2008 R2.  I’m thinking about installing it on my SQL Servers even without even needing to migrate existing Oracle databases to SQL Server.  Why?  Well as an old Oracle hand, I came to really enjoy quite a few Oracle PL/SQL system packages (kind’a like a SQL Server system stored procedure, but often more powerful).  As it turns out SSMA-Oracle includes stored procedures, extended stored procedures, and CLR routines that reproduce the functionality in most all of the cool and powerful Oracle packages like DBMS_PIPES. It’d be nice to have those on my SQL Servers just because I know them and like them.

Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server 2.0: Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server – and PHP is good.

Microsoft Services  for Mission Critical Customers: Many enterprise customers running mission critical applications on SQL Server have asked for more – more service and support for their environments. This is an add-on that costs extra, but it’s worth it for those running the systems that keep the company in business.
If you’ve tried any of these tools out, I’m keen to hear your experiences.  Did they work well for you?  Did they work, though poorly?  Did they fail utterly?  Inquiring minds want to know.

This presentation is a bit old, but largely still applicable.  It will help you understand Microsoft tuning techniques. It will teach tips and tricks for making queries perform better, and how to use tools to tune SQL.

Posted March 27, 2007.

I’m curious if you agree with my assertions.  You also have the added advantage of hindsight, since I wrote these a while ago.

[READ MORE]

I’ve been trying hard to get more videos out the door about the SQL Server tools from Quest Software (my employer).  I’d sent a new one over to the program marketing team a while back, but it’s not showing up in the Coffee Break Bytes section like it should.  These little videos show a single feature in detail, usually taking no more than 5 minutes to watch in their entirety.

In the meanwhile, check out the excellent video series here.  And the blogs are really good too, available on the interwebs here.

Thinking about cloud computing? 

Well, there aren’t many tools out there that will make your life easier than Toad for Cloud Databases.  As is most cloud technology, this particular tool is still in beta.  But there’s no better time to help set the direction and features of a tool with as outstanding a record as Toad.  Get the details and download the beta here.

And if you like providing feedback to the development team, don’t overlook the IdeaPond where you can provide your own ideas and vote on others that are already posted.  (Currently targeted towards Oracle users, but I say let’s crash that party)!

Enjoy!

-Kevin

 Twitter @kekline

Everyone wants good data, but not everyone wants to work hard to get it

The team at Quest Software has created a new comic series where users can learn how Toad for Data Analysts will help you find, understand and report on data.  Plus, you can take part in a contest to win a free one-year license of TDA!

The first in the comic book series is posted here.  And there’s one each month.  If you contact me directly, I can help you get to the front of the line for the contest!

Join Us for 24 Hours of SQL Server Training

(with a special focus on SQL Server 2008 R2)

Did I mention that your Cohorts in Crime (that be me and Brent Ozar) are presenting?!?

The FREE 24 Hours of PASS event is bringing an exceptional lineup of SQL Server and BI experts to your computer starting at 12:00 GMT (UTC) on May 19.

Get an in-depth look at the hottest SQL Server and BI topics, including (but not limited to!) – the new SQL Server 2008 R2, with its business intelligence and data management innovations, and much more.

When does it start? 12:00 GMT (UTC):

New York: 08:00
Chicago: 07:00
San Francisco: 05:00
London: 13:00
Paris: 14:00
Moscow: 16:00
Mumbai: 17:30
Singapore: 20:00
Sydney: 22:00

The roster of phenomenal speakers features many MVPs and top-rated presenters, including Adam Machanic, Andy Leonard, Brad McGehee, Brent Ozar, Brian Knight, Chuck Heinzelman, Dean Richards, Don Kiely, Don Vilen, Donald Farmer, Glenn Berry, Greg Low, Jacob Sebastian, Jessica Moss, Kevin Cox, Kevin Kline, Louis Davidson, Maciej Pilecki, Peter Myers, Peter Ward, Rushabh Mehta, Sean McCown, Simon Sabin, Thomas Grosher.

Check out all the great SQL Server sessions you can attend for FREE. Share this information with a friend or colleague.

PASS is looking forward to having you join us all for this exceptional event. Please contact us at 24hrs@sqlpass.org with any questions.  You can also find lots of general details at http://www.sqlpass.org/24hours/2010/.

Everybody Needs Training

Everybody enjoys a little free training now and then.  I’ve got mountains of free training in the works.  Some of it is in-person and local while some are in webcast format.  Please join me as you’re able!

Tomorrow – Wednesday!

Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 12 pm (noon) MST – PASS DBA Virtual Chapter; Top 10 Administration Mistakes on SQL Server

There are a short list of mistakes that, if you know of them in advance and prepare for them, will make your life much easier.  This presentation shows you these mistakes, the “low hanging fruit” of database administration.  Once you apply the lessons learned from this session, you’ll find yourself performing at a higher level of efficiency and effectiveness than before.  Quest is sponsoring this and raffling off a copy of my book, SQL in a Nutshell, and O-M-G a KINDLE!!!  (Free, but registration required.)  And if you haven’t already done it, join PASS!

Day After Tomorrow – Thursday!

Thu, Feb 11, 2010 at 11 am EST – Quest Software Pain of the Week; Understanding & Preventing SQL Injection Attacks – with Kevin Kline and K. Brian Kelley

SQL Injection attacks is the most common hacker trick used on the Web and yet, one of the easiest to prevent. Learn what they are and why you need to be concerned about them. In this webcast, I and SQL Server MVP K. Brian Kelley (blog | twitter) will demonstrate different types of SQL injection attacks. You’ll learn how to find and block them to keep your databases safe, preventing disruptions to your organization. Quest is sponsoring this as well and raffling off more goodies.  (Free, but registration required.)

Thu, Feb 11, 2010 at 6 pm CST – Nashville .NET User Group; Ten Things DBAs Want .NET Developers to Know

Stereotypes abound for different types of people in the IT world. Developers think DBAs are control freaks. DBAs think developers are unruly cowboys. How do we overcome these differences? If you’re a developer, your best strategy is to manage your DBAs’ anxieties and demonstrate your competence and credibility. Attend this session to learn about 10 techniques that developers can apply to their code which will calm your DBAs’ fears and earn their admiration. Techniques include how to analyze a query plan and how to make sure your query is taking advantage of the best available indexes.  Attendance is free although registration is encouraged so we can get a good count for the food, plus there’s free pizza and a raffle at the end.  Drinks afterwards at Chilis.

Coming Soon

Mar 03, 2010 >>>FULL DAY OF FREE TRAINING!<<< – Quest Software SQL Server vConference; Troubleshooting and Performance Tuning with Kevin Kline, Brent Ozar, and Ariel Weil

Join SQL Server MVPs, Kevin Kline and Brent Ozar (blog | twitter), along with Quest Product Manager Ari Weil —all from Quest Software—as they interactively present tips and tricks to help you monitor your SQL Server environment with ease. You’ll learn how to use Dynamic Management Views (DMVs) to simplify troubleshooting and significantly enhance SQL Server performance. The day consists of eight sessions with live Q&A – a great way to get answers to your questions straight from the source. Chat live with Quest experts. Plus, you can visit the Quest booth to download helpful resources like white papers, watch demos and more.  This virtual training day is free and you can attend the sessions that fit your needs – perfect for tight budgets and busy schedules.

Mar 06, 2010 – PASS SQL Saturday, Charlotte, SC

The SQL Server Community will experience an event like no other in the Southeast region. Renowned speakers from around the world will gather in Charlotte, NC to share their knowledge on Microsoft SQL Server. This is your opportunity to meet, network with and learn from the SQL Community leading experts such as Andrew Kelly, Rick Heiges, John Welch, Brian Knight, Geoff Hiten, Andy Warren, Jessica M. Moss, Rafael Salas, Sergey Pustovit and Tim Ford. Also scheduled to present are current SQL PASS President Rushabh Mehta and former SQL PASS Presidents Wayne Snyder and Kevin Kline.

Mar 24, 2010 – PASS DBA Virtual Chapter; SQL Internals & Architecture

Apr 08, 2010 – Quest Software Pain of the Week; The Admin’s Guide to SQL Server w/ Buck Woody

Apr 12, 2010 – PASS Chapter, Houston; topic TBD

Apr 17, 2010 – PASS SQL Saturday, Chicago; Keynoting w/ Brent Ozar

May 13, 2010 – Quest Software Pain of the Week; SQL Server for the Oracle DBA w/ Buck Woody

May 13, 2010 – PASS Chapter, Louisville; topic TBD

May 15, 2010 – PASS SQL Saturday, Louisville; topic TBD

May 22, 2010 – Indy Tech Fest; SQL Internals & Architecture