SQL Server 2012, and the fog clears on Thanksgiving

If you have been developing databases for five, ten, or more years, you have probably been there too.  The spot where plans finally catch up to reality.  You were in the trenches with old technology (in my case Foxpro 6), trying to make it do the impossible, despondent that the day may never come when you have the ability to implement real solutions again building on a real technology stack.

And then it finally happens.

After three weeks of conversion pain, we have now implemented a complete redesign of our core system that is driven by my new best friend.... SQL Server 2012.

Oh, I still love SQL 2000, 2005, and 2008, and they will still play an important role in the spaces that they currently hold (until 2000 support ends next year).  But SQL 2012, shiny and new, full of new functionality, is the spring in our human cannonball trick.

In addition to making me want to blog again about SQL Server, it means that I can begin to turn musings in the back of my mind into concrete plans that can become reality.

While I did not have time to blog on the server setup and production installation of our SQL Server, I look forward to again being able to join my community of SQL developers in sharing successes and failures, helping others find answers that I have already found, and enjoying the benefits of the countless others that do the same things, making developing in and supporting the SQL Server platform such a joy.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

SQL Saturday #112 - Birmingham 2012

Today was another great SQL Saturday in Birmingham.  A day packed full of meeting other SQL professionals, good food, and great sessions of information.  If you have never been to a SQL Saturday and you are reading this blog, you should go.  Here is a quick run down of the sessions that I attended today.

Time Saving Tips & Tricks for SSMS 2012 - Aaron Nelson

What's New in SSIS 2012 - Christopher Price

SQL Server 2012: What's New - Bob Cheatham

Data Quality Services 2012 - Chris Price

Introduction to FileTables - Sven Aelterman

Windowing Functions: The Reason to Upgrade to 2012 - Kevin Boles

As you can tell, it was a great day for learning more about SQL 2012.  

http://www.sqlsaturday.com/default.aspx

Check the site and find a session near you.  You will not regret it.