Voice of the DBA

Tag: Redgate

  • On Source Control

    A mention today from Jamie Thomson in his blog on source control. I left a comment, but it was long, so I thought I’d repost it here.

    My comment

    Thanks for the note, Jamie, and it’s interesting, but I don’t see any respondents that aren’t using VSC. I’m guessing many people don’t want to admit that.

    I use source control, sort of. I don’t have a lot of production code, mostly demo stuff, which doesn’t change so much as gets scrapped and restarted. However I am using Subversion (Turtle interface) with Red Gate’s SQL Source Control (of course).

    Why? Well, since I have a 1:1 with my boss today, I should mention Red Gate makes a fantastic product that I couldn’t do without. Actually I think I’m bound to use it since I work for Red gate, but even if I didn’t, it makes things easier.

    I built this habit at a startup, with Visual SourceSafe, and 6 months of browbeating developers to actually check out code from VSS, do a File | Open in Enterprise Manager (SQL 2k at the time), make changes, save the code, and check it back in. It can be done manually, and should, but there are tools like Red Gate’s products that make it easier.

    I know lots of people just edit code in SSMS/VS without controlling it, and that’s a mistake if you are trying to work in a team environment, and product quality software. I haven’t had to roll back often, but there are times we have needed to, and not having control was an issue.

    As an anecdote, I had a job once, waaaayyy back in the last century, using SQL 6.5. The developers had done a great job of using source control for all ASP, VB6, and SQL code. The problem was that they had checked out the code, saved it locally, copied it to another folder, and then checked it in. Then they might check back in the original script that was checked out. Or they might check the original back in and forget the modified version. Or they might not check anything in.

    We found 3, 4, even 7 copies of some stored procedures on various desktops and shared drives, and they had decided to encrypt all the code on the SQL Server. We were never quite sure what version was deployed where, and deployments of the "latest" versions from VSC broke functionality.

    We ended up decrypting all code, and reloading it into VCS, while removing all copies of local storage. It isn’t enough just to use source control or implement something; you need to understand what you are doing and do it consistently. Tools help here, so please use something.

    A Couple More Thoughts

    Source control is insurance. It’s risk reduction, but something that most people don’t understand or think they need. They may not. If you never have a server crash, or a hack of your data, then you don’t need backups. However most people wouldn’t want to run their systems, especially the ones they care about, without backups.

    It’s the same with source control. Use something to provide yourself with a fallback if you have issues.

    It’s not hard, there are lots of tools out there, and they make it easy to conform to some process. You can use SQL Source Control or SQL Connect from my company, or use something else, but integrate your database code with source control.

  • Thirteen Years Old

    A very cool shot of our company at 13.

    redgate13

    I first heard of Red Gate back in 2001 and they were our first advertising customer at SQLServerCentral.

    A few years ago they bought the company and I now work for them. It’s a great company, and a fun one. Things like this are very cool, and while a little corny, are a nice way to celebrate a minor milestone.

    I wish I was closer to the office for things like this.

  • The Charles River – SQL in the City Boston

    headI once rowed in the Head of the Charles Regatta. I had the 3d seat, starboard, in a 4 man boat and it was quite exciting to come up to Boston and row down the famed Charles River. It was hard, and the river was rough, tossing waves in our boat at times, but it was a great experience. This year I won’t be rowing in the Charles, but I am looking forward to a chilly run along the Charles on Oct 7. I’ll get into Boston around 4:30pm, race to the hotel, and then have an evening run. Follow me on Twitter if you want to join me. I’ll probably do a couple miles that evening, and again around 6:30am on Monday.

    The SQL in the City tour comes to Boston on Monday, Oct 8, 2012 with another great lineup of speakers. In addition to myself, g, and a number of our Red Gate developers, we have Adam Machanic (b | t) joining us to deliver a full day of free training to SQL Server professionals.

    Free. Just register and come down to the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at the Harvard Medical School on Oct 8, 2012. It’s training The Red Gate Way at a great location, with fantastic material and plenty of refreshments. The staff is there to make sure you have a great day, as we do at every stop.

    staff

    booksWe’re looking to teach you a few things, give you tips and tricks for working with SQL Server, debate you, answer questions, and have an inspiring day. Stop any of us, and ask a question, pick up a book for your library, and maybe even win a prize as we sip a beverage at the end of the day.

    It’s a great time and I’m sure you’ll find it worth your time to come spend a day with us talking about SQL Server.

    Register today, and come shake my hand in Boston on Oct 8.

    This is part of my SQL in the City series, covering a few thoughts on the US tour.

  • The Field Museum – SQL in the City 2012 – Chicago

    Chicago is a neat down. My first PASS Summit was in Chicago, back in 1999. My wife joined me with an infant son, and we took in the last baseball game of the season that year at Comisky Park. This year I was hoping to take in a game at Wrigley Field, but the season will be over for the Cubs when I arrive in Chicago on Oct 4.

    I’m arriving for the SQL in the City 2012 – Chicago event, part of our SQL in the City US Tour. We’ll be holding this one at the Field Museum, right near the lake, so guess where I’ll be running? I’ll likely job in San Francisco on Thursday before I leave, so my run along the lake will be a crack of dawn run on Friday, Oct 5. I’m hoping to convince Brent Ozar (b | t) to come with me, but I suspect he might want to sleep in before his session at the event. Maybe Jes Borland (b | t) will come instead.

    Those two, along with the incredible Powershell guru Allen White (b | t), Grant Fritchey (b | t), and a number of Red Gate developers will be speaking with me at SQL in the City 2012 -  Chicago. A bunch of great sessions are packed into one day, teaching you about SQL Server, inspiring you to try new tips and tricks, training you The Red Gate Way.

    2012_London_cThe Red Gate Way is a great location, good content, debate and discussion, answering your questions, and feeding you well. We talk about ways to make your job easier, give you new ideas to consider, and make learning fun. It’s our way of participating in, and improving the community.

    And it’s free. Just register and come down to the Field Museum on Friday, Oct 5, 2012. If you’re really ambitious, follow me on Twitter and plan on a  6:30am run along the lake. It might be cold, so dress appropriately, and we’ll do 2 miles, looking out over the water.

    Register today if you can come. I hope to shake your hand in Chicago.

    This is part of my SQL in the City series, covering a few thoughts on the US tour.