Voice of the DBA

Category: Blog

  • Checking Database Compatability = #SQLNewBlogger

    Recently I needed to check the compatibility level of a database and SSMS didn’t work. This is what I did in T-SQL.https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/t-sql/statements/alter-database-transact-sql-compatibility-level?view=sql-server-ver16

    Another post for me that is simple and hopefully serves as an example for people trying to get blogging as #SQLNewBRloggers. Here are some hints to get started.

    Querying the System

    I would have assumed I could use the DatabaseProperyEX() function to get this, but as I look through the list of properties, the compat level isn’t in there.

    When I look through the Docs for the compat level, I find that the page for database compatibility, the page mentions that querying a DMV is the way to check this. Seems strange, but I guess that’s what you do.

    Here’s the query:

    SELECT name, compatibility_level FROM sys.databases;

    Y0u can filter this by database name if you need it.

    I needed this as I was testing SQL Server 2022, but my SSMS version (18.10), didn’t recognize level 160. I assumed that was what should have been there, but I needed this query to verify.

    Now, hopefully I’ll remember that I just need to query the DMV.

    SQL New Blogger

    This was a quick post, really just over 5 minutes to write. It’s not super technical, but it does show that I can research something and solve a problem. And I have an alternative when my main tool doesn’t work.

    Good skills to showcase on a blog.

  • Daily Coping 20 Sep 2022

    Today’s coping tip is to find a caring, calming phrase to use when you feel low.

    Life is mostly good, but there are times I feel down, depressed, low, or sad. I’ve learned not to get too upset. If I start feeling off, sometimes I can stop things, sometimes not. I’m getting better, but often it’s my wife that helps reign me in.

    However, when I saw this tip, I thought that maybe a mantra of sorts might help me. I’m picking one of my wife’s favorite sayings, which my kids also use.

    “No babies are dying.”

    It’s a good way to stop and keep things in perspective. If babies might be dying, then this is really important and I need to pay attention. If I’m just annoyed, upset, sad, etc., it’s helps me find perspective.

    I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQL Server Central newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.

  • Daily Coping 19 Sep 2022

    Today’s coping tip is to make time to remember if you’re busy, allow yourself to pause and take a break.

    I’m in the UK today, and at the Redgate office for part of the time. One of the things that I like to do when I’m there is walk outside for a few minutes. Being back in an office is very stimulating, and it can be hectic for me. I’ll often schedule a lot of meetings to get time with people while I’m there.

    I’ve learned a couple small breaks outside relax me during a stressful time. I’ll take a couple of those today.

    I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQL Server Central newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.

  • Tesla Warranty Service for Trim

    This is part of a series that covers my experience with a Tesla Model Y.

    I noticed a problem on the driver seat of my Tesla a month or so ago. The trim piece around the side of the seat was loose. It appears a piece of the trim cracked off.

    20220818_140751

    I picked the Service tab in the app and started to schedule things. I went through a couple menus to note this was interior to the car and a seat issue, then typed a few sentences to describe the issue. I uploaded this picture, and then was given the option to schedule service at one of the service centers.

    Apparently this didn’t qualify for mobile service, which is fine. I picked one of the service centers near me (both about the same distance) and scheduled a date and time about a week out. I could have picked a time 3 days out, but that didn’t work in my schedule.

    Communication

    I got a few messages in the app during the week. First, one a day later to ask that I confirm I still want the appointment. A day or two later, they sent a note asking which seat, to confirm the driver seat. Then they sent an estimate of US$58, though noting this might be covered under warranty.

    I approved them all as I assume I can argue the warranty thing in person.

    I also got a note the day before that they were thinking this might take a couple hours with their load and letting me know that they were giving me ride share credits.

    The Appointment

    The morning of, I drove to the service center. I parked the car, and as I walked up, I checked the app. A new message showing me how to get a rideshare credit with Uber. No loaners, but that is nice.

    I checked in with the reception person and then walked away. No need to give them a key. Apparently they have geo-fenced service keys for the Tesla Service Centers. Cool, also slightly disconcerting.

    In any case, I worked for an hour and then had another appointment, so I called an Uber.

    When I returned to Tesla, I realized I didn’t have my wallet, so I wanted to grab it. I went in the app to check the location and saw this:

    Screenshot_20220823-104631_Tesla

    Interesting. The car is in service and I can’t see app functions. I walked over to where I’d parked and it was still there. My phone worked as a key, and I could get in, but an “About” screen was visible, not the normal view. Also, a notice that the car was speed limited at this time, which is probably a good thing when techs are 20-something and have the opportunity to test a Plaid Model S for some reason.

    In any case, glad I could get my wallet for lunch instead of playing the “where will my NFC phone work” game.

    I went to lunch and about 30 minutes later I got a text that there was a message in the app. I checked and they said my car was done. They provided a message that told me where the car was located. I walked over, checked the repair (looked great) and drove away without talking to anyone at the end.

    The repair was covered under warranty and I got an invoice for $0.00 in the app.

    All in all a good, albeit slow, experience.