Voice of the DBA

Tag: syndicated

A New Command Palette in SQL Prompt

I’ve gotten used to using the Command Palette in VS Code/ADS/Sublime Text regularly to find some setting or change something. What felt strange at first has become a habit for me. I actually like having this one place to search and get things done.

It’s now in SQL Prompt.

If I press ALT+S, I see this in SSMS. A large command prompt with lots of entries.

This popup lets me do a few things. If I start typing, I can get to most any object or SQL Prompt command from here. It’s like a global search for all things Prompt.

As an example, I can highlight an object and then ALT+S, type “object ex” and I’ll see this:

If I select the “Select in Object Explorer” (or click), the OE will navigate to that item.

Simple, and I could get there in other ways, but having all this in one searchable place, rather than right clicking and looking through a menu, or looking at the top menu bar, is easy. I even see the shortcut in the command palette (CTRL+F12) if I want to memorize it.

I can also use this for commands like insert semicolons, which I can never remember the shortcut for.

I can look for objects, commands, or options, filtering my results with the selection at the top. Or I can look in all areas. I can even look at the see the status of options in the palette, as shown here.

I have some things memorized, and the ALT+S isn’t quite in my muscle memory, but I am finding that I use it when I don’t know where something is located, or can’t remember a shortcut.

It’s a new feature, and the team is looking for feedback, so give it a try and let them know what you think.

If you don’t have SQL Prompt for SSMS and SQL Server, download an eval today and give it a try.

February 28, 2022
Daily Coping 28 Feb 2022

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral 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.

Today’s tip is to appreciate the good qualities of someone in your life.

I’m very lucky with family and friends. I get to see a lot of people, sometimes more than I want, and for the most part the interactions are very enjoyable.

A few years ago I was traveling for work to an event. I met someone before the event and we got to chatting about things. It was a very pleasant 10-15 minutes. We talked a bit later in the day, and I came home with good memories.

After that day, this person reached out on Linked In to wish me a happy holiday a few months later. I responded, and since that day, this person has checked in every few months, asking how I am and sharing info about their life and family. We had talked about those things when we saw each other.

This person has been a friend, someone that I only met once, but we correspond and catch up, usually at their initiation, and I appreciate the kind words and thoughts. I appreciate the genuine curiosity and caring.

Each time I see a message, I smile.

February 28, 2022
Daily Coping 25 Feb 2022

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral 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.

Today’s tip is to look back at the pandemic, and find some pictures that are happy memories.

A few of many:

February 25, 2022
T-SQL Tuesday #147 Wrap-Up

I was the host this month for T-SQL Tuesday #147 and here is a look at the people who blogged (that I know about). If I’ve missed anyone, let me know.

Rob Farley wrote about updates, not only with version upgrades, but also CUs and the need for automated testing.

Deepthi Goguri talks about her first job and the requirement to move off SQL Server 2000. This was after her schooling was on SQL Server 2012. I like the emphasis on fear as a reason not to change, and the use of tools to find potential problems that could occur during the upgrade.

Kevin Chant writes that he uses upgrade events as chances to improve the way a system works. He also uses the Data Migration Assistant to move, but do so carefully. Don’t jump across too many versions.

Damien Jones asks us if we can avoid upgrades in the cloud. That’s an interesting perspective, and one I don’t see often. It is legitimate, as every time something changes, we need to test, and if there are issues, what do we do? Avoiding change is something that I find important in the short term but highly detrimental in the long term.

Greg Moore writes about the challenges of convincing a client to upgrade.

Glenn Berry gives us a way to make a case for upgrades, working against those that don’t want to change, and some thoughts on related tech changes that might help you decide to upgrade.

Marcin Gminski talks about https://sqlwatch.io/blog/t-sql-tuesday-147-sql-server-upgrade-strategies/

Alex Stuart notes that if it isn’t broken, why fix it? Don’t upgrade for no reason, but there are some reasons to upgrade and Alex lists them.

Reitse Eskens gives us a basic process to follow when upgrading. These aren’t detailed steps, but these are the things I look at when upgrading.

Gethyn Ellis talks about why we wait to upgrade and why we might rethink that.

The first upgrade, from Todd Kleinhans, looks at the problems he had an how we got past an Access to SQL Server upgrade. I’ve been in this exact situation, back in the early 90s. It was a mess and very stressful, but I learned a few things. Including to avoid Access for years.

Lastly, but not least, Martin Catherall provides some general thoughts on how he would approach an upgrade, with some tool suggestions to help.

February 24, 2022