When working with the process templates in Visual Studio Team System (VSTS), we are offered a choice of two comprehensive templates - MSF for Agile Software Development and MSF for CMMI Process Improvement. However, if we already have some of our own processes (and best practices) in place, we are most likely to customize these templates to our needs.
Customizing these process templates today, is really not for the faint-hearted. Although it is easy enough to edit the XML files in any text editor like Notepad, the task of doing it can be both tedious and daunting. This is where a Process Template Editor will come in handy.
To edit (or even create) your process templates at ease, check out the VSTS Customization Toolkit at Gotdotnet. Alternatively, you can get more updated builds direct from its source. Now everyone can tailor the process templates without hassle.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
The.Day.Before.The.Eve
The day before New Year's Eve ...
The traffic was kind to me.
The carpark which I used to park turned into a concert stage for tonight's countdown event.
I paid RM20 for a bowl of overpriced Lam-Mee (noodles) and ais-kacang (dessert) for lunch in KLCC but I value the lunch-talk with my colleagues.
I waited there on the Zebra-crossing for the cars to stop to let me pass as drivers in Malaysia don't seem to understand what a Zebra-crossing is. Either that or they can't seem to see black-and-white stripes.
I was alone in Lorong MCS (MCS pathway) in my office as all the consultants were not around.
Stacks of DVDs containing VPCs and training materials landed in my pigeon hole.
My claims were rejected becaused I had filled in the wrong category.
I felt happy as my Engagement Manager came to my cubicle and gave me a pat on my back.
I met my roommate who was supposed to bunk with me in US next week.
I failed to configure Biztalk Server 2004 on my notebook. I decided to uninstall it then.
I felt refreshed like a developer as I spent the whole afternoon and evening trying to solve my customer's code problems. Feels good to touch code and press F5, F10 and F11 again.
I went home late. Mom thought I went for a party and didn't bother to call me.
The traffic was kind to me.
The carpark which I used to park turned into a concert stage for tonight's countdown event.
I paid RM20 for a bowl of overpriced Lam-Mee (noodles) and ais-kacang (dessert) for lunch in KLCC but I value the lunch-talk with my colleagues.
I waited there on the Zebra-crossing for the cars to stop to let me pass as drivers in Malaysia don't seem to understand what a Zebra-crossing is. Either that or they can't seem to see black-and-white stripes.
I was alone in Lorong MCS (MCS pathway) in my office as all the consultants were not around.
Stacks of DVDs containing VPCs and training materials landed in my pigeon hole.
My claims were rejected becaused I had filled in the wrong category.
I felt happy as my Engagement Manager came to my cubicle and gave me a pat on my back.
I met my roommate who was supposed to bunk with me in US next week.
I failed to configure Biztalk Server 2004 on my notebook. I decided to uninstall it then.
I felt refreshed like a developer as I spent the whole afternoon and evening trying to solve my customer's code problems. Feels good to touch code and press F5, F10 and F11 again.
I went home late. Mom thought I went for a party and didn't bother to call me.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Loud.and.Clear
Went to SJMC yesterday to see an ENT Specialist to have my ear problem checked. I didn't have an appointment, so I just walked in to the outpatient department and told the nurse that I wanted to see an ENT Specialist. She look at me and said, "Hah? Another one to see ENT? What's wrong with everyone today ah?"
I stared at her blankly, "Duh...." She wrote me a note and sent me off upstairs. Waited for a while and it was my turn. I explained my problem to the doctor (like how people explain their code problems to me) and he inspected my ears with some gadgets (like how I diagnose code). He then said one of my ear is responding weakly to pressure and he will need to send me off for some audiology tests (like how I would like to see a stack trace or an error log).
In the audiology department, I was put through what I remembered as an Impedance Test where they plugged something into my ears to induce pressure and it goes *buuuzzzZZZzzzz* inside my head. Then the plotter will produce a nice graph. I didn't know what the other test was called. I was put inside a room that is superbly quiet and was asked to put on a big headphone. The headphone will emit some very soft beep sounds and I'm instructed to press a button if I hear anything.
After the audiology tests, I was asked to bring the results back to the ENT Specialist. He then interpreted the results to me and said that I'm safe to fly. But as a precaution, I will need to take some medication onboard the plane and spray my nose before landing. I'm glad everything checks out alright and I can fly, I can fly, I can fly....
On the way home, I diverted to my optician to get a pair of new spectacles. My current pair is already five years old and the paint has started to chipped off. Initially, I was quite fond of a pink one that looks pretty fashionable. I look quite bright in it but a little inapproriate for a geekette and the frame feels a little fragile.
I skipped all the ones with black frames as they make me look so oldie and finally, I settled down for a pair that is quite decent and comes with clip-on shades - a feature I like with my current one. Didn't bother with the chromatix lenses though and went straight to the basic multi-coated UV protection lenses. Did an eye test and discovered that my power has increased again. Anyway, I will be getting my new glasses next week. Yeh! Yeh!
I stared at her blankly, "Duh...." She wrote me a note and sent me off upstairs. Waited for a while and it was my turn. I explained my problem to the doctor (like how people explain their code problems to me) and he inspected my ears with some gadgets (like how I diagnose code). He then said one of my ear is responding weakly to pressure and he will need to send me off for some audiology tests (like how I would like to see a stack trace or an error log).
In the audiology department, I was put through what I remembered as an Impedance Test where they plugged something into my ears to induce pressure and it goes *buuuzzzZZZzzzz* inside my head. Then the plotter will produce a nice graph. I didn't know what the other test was called. I was put inside a room that is superbly quiet and was asked to put on a big headphone. The headphone will emit some very soft beep sounds and I'm instructed to press a button if I hear anything.
After the audiology tests, I was asked to bring the results back to the ENT Specialist. He then interpreted the results to me and said that I'm safe to fly. But as a precaution, I will need to take some medication onboard the plane and spray my nose before landing. I'm glad everything checks out alright and I can fly, I can fly, I can fly....
On the way home, I diverted to my optician to get a pair of new spectacles. My current pair is already five years old and the paint has started to chipped off. Initially, I was quite fond of a pink one that looks pretty fashionable. I look quite bright in it but a little inapproriate for a geekette and the frame feels a little fragile.
I skipped all the ones with black frames as they make me look so oldie and finally, I settled down for a pair that is quite decent and comes with clip-on shades - a feature I like with my current one. Didn't bother with the chromatix lenses though and went straight to the basic multi-coated UV protection lenses. Did an eye test and discovered that my power has increased again. Anyway, I will be getting my new glasses next week. Yeh! Yeh!
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Christmas.Day.Out
Whoah! MidValley is really getting more prosperous by the year. Got stuck in the traffic for half-an-hour today trying to get into the parking bay. Went in circles too in search of a parking space and it is absolutely crazy. Where did all these people come from?!
I had to go there to look for jeans - part of the gear I need for my US trip. The whole place is swarmed with people. I had to queue up for everything - lunch, tidbits, ice-cream, fitting rooms and even potty.
The one place that's quiet is the IT centre. I went there to survey the price of an external notebook HDD. Randomly picked a shop (that looks ok) and went in there. A lady at the desk came and serviced me - refusing to converse in Cantonese and insisted on speaking English with me. Quoted me RM560 for a 80GB Western Digital notebook HDD and told me it was my lucky day that she could give me a RM10 discount.
Not sure if I have the word 'sucker' stamped on my forehead but I did some homework before inquiring. An 80GB WD notebook HDD doesn't cost that much! I could get a 100GB equivalent with a RM15 top-up! I complained to her about the price and she immediately pack the HDD back to the shelf and said, it is impossible to get anything lower than what she offered. She also insisted that it could be a desktop HDD that I'm talking about.
Fine! I know it is not fair to compare the prices here with other malls and so, I went to the shop next to hers and inquired. They guy happily offered me RM440 for the same stuff without bargaining. It clearly shows that the previous lady was trying to rip-me-off - probably thinks that I'm a damsel who knows nuts about computers.
I still didn't get the HDD in the end though...
I had to go there to look for jeans - part of the gear I need for my US trip. The whole place is swarmed with people. I had to queue up for everything - lunch, tidbits, ice-cream, fitting rooms and even potty.
The one place that's quiet is the IT centre. I went there to survey the price of an external notebook HDD. Randomly picked a shop (that looks ok) and went in there. A lady at the desk came and serviced me - refusing to converse in Cantonese and insisted on speaking English with me. Quoted me RM560 for a 80GB Western Digital notebook HDD and told me it was my lucky day that she could give me a RM10 discount.
Not sure if I have the word 'sucker' stamped on my forehead but I did some homework before inquiring. An 80GB WD notebook HDD doesn't cost that much! I could get a 100GB equivalent with a RM15 top-up! I complained to her about the price and she immediately pack the HDD back to the shelf and said, it is impossible to get anything lower than what she offered. She also insisted that it could be a desktop HDD that I'm talking about.
Fine! I know it is not fair to compare the prices here with other malls and so, I went to the shop next to hers and inquired. They guy happily offered me RM440 for the same stuff without bargaining. It clearly shows that the previous lady was trying to rip-me-off - probably thinks that I'm a damsel who knows nuts about computers.
I still didn't get the HDD in the end though...
Saturday, December 24, 2005
SQL2005: 3.Servers
Most of the SQL Server 2005 High Availability options suggest having three servers (or instances) for optimum performance where each of the servers will play a certain role in the high availability configuration. However, depending on which option, the terms used to describe the server roles can be quite confusing for starters.
In Log-Shipping, the three server roles are Primary, Secondary and Monitor. The Primary server is where the transaction log is being backed-up and the Secondary server is where the log will be shipped to and restored. The Monitor server acts like a coordinator and tracks all details of log-shipping.
In Replication, the three server roles are Publisher, Subscriber and Distributor. Replication uses the publication industry metaphor where Publisher is the server that supply the tables (Articles) to be replicated and Subcribers are the servers subscribing to the replication. The Distributor is the server that stores replication specific information for one or more publishers. Both distributor and publisher can be configured on one machine.
Finally in Database Mirroring, the three server (or instance) roles are Principal, Mirror and Witness. The Principal database instance is the active database and the Mirror database contains the mirrored copy. A Witness server can be configured to provide automatic fail-over to the mirror database when the principal database is not accessible.
So, still feeling confused?
In Log-Shipping, the three server roles are Primary, Secondary and Monitor. The Primary server is where the transaction log is being backed-up and the Secondary server is where the log will be shipped to and restored. The Monitor server acts like a coordinator and tracks all details of log-shipping.
In Replication, the three server roles are Publisher, Subscriber and Distributor. Replication uses the publication industry metaphor where Publisher is the server that supply the tables (Articles) to be replicated and Subcribers are the servers subscribing to the replication. The Distributor is the server that stores replication specific information for one or more publishers. Both distributor and publisher can be configured on one machine.
Finally in Database Mirroring, the three server (or instance) roles are Principal, Mirror and Witness. The Principal database instance is the active database and the Mirror database contains the mirrored copy. A Witness server can be configured to provide automatic fail-over to the mirror database when the principal database is not accessible.
So, still feeling confused?
Friday, December 23, 2005
Good.2.Be.Back
I'm back! Was knocked-out for a few days but I survived. Took my 71-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Application Development Foundation exam today. This is the second .NET 2.0 exam I took so far and is also the most important exam because it is a core requirement in all the MCTS .NET credential. Mess this one up and all the TS credentials go down with it.
I'll skip all the usual rants about the exam (how I did not have time to prepare for it and how it tried to kill me) and go straight into the juicy stuff. Today, I had a new experience - The VUE Test Driver crashed while I was reviewing my answers. The crash effectively wiped out my answer for one question and shutdown the test application without printing my temporary transcript.
I was so worried as I had spent 4 hours in the exam and I do not wish to take it again because of such problem. Luckily, the exam administrator recovered the session for me but I still have one question being resetted. There is nothing much that I can do but to accept it. I left a comment on the test before I exited.
I've been taking so many exams for the past few weeks (or was it months) and I'm not sure if I'm passing them. Hate the suspense. Well, I have just received some important tasks and hence, I will need to re-prioritize and de-emphasize the exams for a moment. Should be getting busy for the next few months. I still have 3 more exams scheduled. Hope I can still find the time to prepare for them.
I'll skip all the usual rants about the exam (how I did not have time to prepare for it and how it tried to kill me) and go straight into the juicy stuff. Today, I had a new experience - The VUE Test Driver crashed while I was reviewing my answers. The crash effectively wiped out my answer for one question and shutdown the test application without printing my temporary transcript.
I was so worried as I had spent 4 hours in the exam and I do not wish to take it again because of such problem. Luckily, the exam administrator recovered the session for me but I still have one question being resetted. There is nothing much that I can do but to accept it. I left a comment on the test before I exited.
I've been taking so many exams for the past few weeks (or was it months) and I'm not sure if I'm passing them. Hate the suspense. Well, I have just received some important tasks and hence, I will need to re-prioritize and de-emphasize the exams for a moment. Should be getting busy for the next few months. I still have 3 more exams scheduled. Hope I can still find the time to prepare for them.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Satu.Biji.Tiga.Kali.Sehari
This weekend is all wrong!
Started with visiting the clinic on Friday for Eustacian Tube Dysfunction (something wrong with my ear). Doctor gave some medicine and vitamins to supress the problem. Then started to have food-poisoning on Saturday night - having diarrhoea non-stop. At 3:45AM this morning (Sunday), I surrendered and went to a 24 hour polyclinic nearby.
Woke up the security guard sleeping on the bench to open the door for me. After registering myself, I need *potty-break* again. The guard showed me to a highly-secured toilet (like a safe). He has to enter a secret pin number on a keypad to open the door to the toilet. To exit, I have to press the 'Emergency' button. Didn't bother to check if there were gold bars in the toilet.
Went for my consultation, no injection, got my medicine and went home. At 4:30AM, I had to take medicine to stop the *poO-poO*. Whacked-in some biskits to prevent having gastric before taking medicine but woke up at 9:00AM and I found myself with gastric. Damn!!!
Started feeling better around 2:00PM and wanted to savour the remaining hours of the weekend. Then, I noticed there was a slight pain surrounding the area of one of my eyes. Thought it was no biggie and drove to Sunway Pyramid to get my winter clothing. Bloody-madness traffic congestion! Can't get into the parking area from the highway. Buses, Taxis, cars, cars and more cars! Eye getting sore.
Detoured to Subang Parade. Bloody-madness parking condition! All the parking lots were taken. Went round and round but found one anyway. Eye getting worst. Went up to the mall and did my shopping. Got 75% of what I needed and could not go on further. Vision starting to blur. Forced to head home and on the way, visited the 24 hour polyclinic again.
Doctor's diagnosis - "You got Conjunctivitis and hmmm... you look familiar."
"I was here this morning for diarrhoea." - I replied.
"Oh! Good thing you reminded me. Then, plus this morning's medicine, you will be taking lots of medication!" - He explained as he points at the list of medication he is about to prescribe to me.
Came home, applied the eye medicine and took the antibiotics prescribed earlier. Feeling half-dead all the way to dinner as the medicines do their work. Now... I feel like vomitting. Must be having gastric from too much medication. Oh! Bloody-hell!!!
Started with visiting the clinic on Friday for Eustacian Tube Dysfunction (something wrong with my ear). Doctor gave some medicine and vitamins to supress the problem. Then started to have food-poisoning on Saturday night - having diarrhoea non-stop. At 3:45AM this morning (Sunday), I surrendered and went to a 24 hour polyclinic nearby.
Woke up the security guard sleeping on the bench to open the door for me. After registering myself, I need *potty-break* again. The guard showed me to a highly-secured toilet (like a safe). He has to enter a secret pin number on a keypad to open the door to the toilet. To exit, I have to press the 'Emergency' button. Didn't bother to check if there were gold bars in the toilet.
Went for my consultation, no injection, got my medicine and went home. At 4:30AM, I had to take medicine to stop the *poO-poO*. Whacked-in some biskits to prevent having gastric before taking medicine but woke up at 9:00AM and I found myself with gastric. Damn!!!
Started feeling better around 2:00PM and wanted to savour the remaining hours of the weekend. Then, I noticed there was a slight pain surrounding the area of one of my eyes. Thought it was no biggie and drove to Sunway Pyramid to get my winter clothing. Bloody-madness traffic congestion! Can't get into the parking area from the highway. Buses, Taxis, cars, cars and more cars! Eye getting sore.
Detoured to Subang Parade. Bloody-madness parking condition! All the parking lots were taken. Went round and round but found one anyway. Eye getting worst. Went up to the mall and did my shopping. Got 75% of what I needed and could not go on further. Vision starting to blur. Forced to head home and on the way, visited the 24 hour polyclinic again.
Doctor's diagnosis - "You got Conjunctivitis and hmmm... you look familiar."
"I was here this morning for diarrhoea." - I replied.
"Oh! Good thing you reminded me. Then, plus this morning's medicine, you will be taking lots of medication!" - He explained as he points at the list of medication he is about to prescribe to me.
Came home, applied the eye medicine and took the antibiotics prescribed earlier. Feeling half-dead all the way to dinner as the medicines do their work. Now... I feel like vomitting. Must be having gastric from too much medication. Oh! Bloody-hell!!!
Thursday, December 15, 2005
SQL2005: Covering.Queries
We can now include nonkey columns in addition to the index key columns in our nonclustered indexes to increase query performance. For example, in the following code:
SELECT ProductCode, Name, Price
FROM Products
WHERE ProductCode BETWEEN '10000' and '20000'
A nonclustered index can be created on ProductCode to enhance the performance of the query but the Name and Price columns will need to be retrieved from the table or clustered index.
However, in SQL Server 2005, the Name and Price columns can be included in the nonclustered index as Included Columns.
CREATE NONCLUSTERED INDEX IX_Product_ProductCode
ON Product (ProductCode)
INCLUDE (Name, Price)
This is not the same as defining composite keys for the index since the columns are not part of the key but just tagged to it.
Take note that Included Columns only work with nonclustered indexes and may cause performance problems in insert, update and delete operations (if over-used) due to additional maintenance overhead.
SELECT ProductCode, Name, Price
FROM Products
WHERE ProductCode BETWEEN '10000' and '20000'
A nonclustered index can be created on ProductCode to enhance the performance of the query but the Name and Price columns will need to be retrieved from the table or clustered index.
However, in SQL Server 2005, the Name and Price columns can be included in the nonclustered index as Included Columns.
CREATE NONCLUSTERED INDEX IX_Product_ProductCode
ON Product (ProductCode)
INCLUDE (Name, Price)
This is not the same as defining composite keys for the index since the columns are not part of the key but just tagged to it.
Take note that Included Columns only work with nonclustered indexes and may cause performance problems in insert, update and delete operations (if over-used) due to additional maintenance overhead.
Stickies.Evolution
Check this out! Shunjie from SGDOTNET is rebuilding Stickies .NET on .NET 2.0. He is adding several new features to the application while trying to keep some of the initial features intact and so far, the progress looks good. I was lucky enough to get a few developer builds and I'm happy with what I see so far.
Not wanting to be left out, I'm also working on a Stickies .NET Prototype Edition using Visual Studio 2005. Don't have much time to spend on it but so far, I've managed to dab into some basic WinAPI code to make sizing and moving the Stickies smoother. The codes are also given to Shunjie to beef-up his version.
I sure hope he can release a public CTP soon. At the mean time, will have to wait for KitKai or Microlau to put up a link for my Stickies .NET on SGDOTNET.
Not wanting to be left out, I'm also working on a Stickies .NET Prototype Edition using Visual Studio 2005. Don't have much time to spend on it but so far, I've managed to dab into some basic WinAPI code to make sizing and moving the Stickies smoother. The codes are also given to Shunjie to beef-up his version.
I sure hope he can release a public CTP soon. At the mean time, will have to wait for KitKai or Microlau to put up a link for my Stickies .NET on SGDOTNET.
071-443.Doomed
Did my 071-443: PRO: Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 today. One word - BAD!
Ahhhh....
Ahhhh....
Monday, December 12, 2005
071-444.Down
Did the 071-444: PRO: Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exam today.
The exam was a beast! It had more questions than the previous two. I managed to complete and review my answers 10 minutes before the time expires. From the preparation guide, it hinted more of a case-study delivery but turned out otherwise.
Came back and checked on some of the questions that I can recall. Boy, I feel like a complete idiot for changing some of the right answers to wrong ones due to last moment ficker-mindedness. What a *smart @$$* I am? I really hate myself for losing marks this way. *idiot* *idiot* *idiot*
Looking from the percentage of confidence, I think I will have a lower chance of passing this one but .... it is not to say that I don't stand a chance to past at all. Will need to wait for the results.
Next take, 071-443: PRO: Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005.
[Btw, I think the exam not *ong* lah - number 444, so suay. Before taking the exam already get 2 days migraine and my study plan cialat. Maybe I will do better in the next one cos the number look more auspicious. *HeHeHe*]
The exam was a beast! It had more questions than the previous two. I managed to complete and review my answers 10 minutes before the time expires. From the preparation guide, it hinted more of a case-study delivery but turned out otherwise.
Came back and checked on some of the questions that I can recall. Boy, I feel like a complete idiot for changing some of the right answers to wrong ones due to last moment ficker-mindedness. What a *smart @$$* I am? I really hate myself for losing marks this way. *idiot* *idiot* *idiot*
Looking from the percentage of confidence, I think I will have a lower chance of passing this one but .... it is not to say that I don't stand a chance to past at all. Will need to wait for the results.
Next take, 071-443: PRO: Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005.
[Btw, I think the exam not *ong* lah - number 444, so suay. Before taking the exam already get 2 days migraine and my study plan cialat. Maybe I will do better in the next one cos the number look more auspicious. *HeHeHe*]
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Braindead
Feeling sleepie and tired today. Nothing seemed to enter my head for the past two days. Initially, I had planned to start my revision on Friday after finishing some personal matters in the morning but was asked to meet-up with a customer in the afternoon to replace a colleague who could not make it. Travelling the whole day in the city had made me very tired. The stuffiness of the air, traffic congestions and direct sunlight had gave me a migraine.
Took some medicine before I went to the customer's place and went straight home after that. Tried to start my revision but my head was very heavy and I can feel the semi-hemispherical pain. Had to rest by 9:30 PM. Could not sleep well as the pain was disturbing. Woke up yesterday and the pain was still there. Took medicine and drank Chrysanthemum tea. Pushed myself to continue reading SQL Books Online.
By evening, I had covered some topics and started to rest my mind by listening to music, watching TV and surfing the Internet. The migraine came back and I quickly go to bed. Woke-up this morning without the migraine and turned on my notebook to continue my revision. Tried recalling what I read yesterday and everything came blank. It was as though I never read anything.
It is no different now. I can hardly recall what I read this morning. Tomorrow is going to be the exam and I think I'm gonna get screwed...
Took some medicine before I went to the customer's place and went straight home after that. Tried to start my revision but my head was very heavy and I can feel the semi-hemispherical pain. Had to rest by 9:30 PM. Could not sleep well as the pain was disturbing. Woke up yesterday and the pain was still there. Took medicine and drank Chrysanthemum tea. Pushed myself to continue reading SQL Books Online.
By evening, I had covered some topics and started to rest my mind by listening to music, watching TV and surfing the Internet. The migraine came back and I quickly go to bed. Woke-up this morning without the migraine and turned on my notebook to continue my revision. Tried recalling what I read yesterday and everything came blank. It was as though I never read anything.
It is no different now. I can hardly recall what I read this morning. Tomorrow is going to be the exam and I think I'm gonna get screwed...
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Read.or.Walk?
Found a very good chinese saying on radio.
"Reading ten thousand books is no match for walking a thousand
miles."
Friday, December 09, 2005
Parking.Expenses
Been travelling around KL today and here are the parking expenses:
RM 2.50 - KLCC
RM 7.30 - A building near the US Embassy
RM 6.50 - KLCC
RM 3.20 - Customer site
Total: RM 19.50
I actually went to the parking spot beside Wisma Central and the parking attendant asked me, "Kak, you sure you want to park for one hour here? Here, one hour is RM 5.50 and two hours is RM 10.50. Early bird is only RM8.00".
So, I asked him, "If early-bird then can I go out and come in back again?".
"Sorry kak, we using computer here. It don't allow us to do that.", he replied pointing at the computer.
So I told him, "I want to gostan! (Reverse out from the place)."
I think if I own a piece of land in KL, I would also want to be in the parking business. Everyday just collect cold-hard cash from a booth *Ca-Ching! Ca-Ching!* Ok, it can be bored sometimes but hey, I can always kill time by learning all those Windows Vista, .NET 2.0 and techie stuffs. Talk about the highest level of Maslow's hierarchy man!
RM 2.50 - KLCC
RM 7.30 - A building near the US Embassy
RM 6.50 - KLCC
RM 3.20 - Customer site
Total: RM 19.50
I actually went to the parking spot beside Wisma Central and the parking attendant asked me, "Kak, you sure you want to park for one hour here? Here, one hour is RM 5.50 and two hours is RM 10.50. Early bird is only RM8.00".
So, I asked him, "If early-bird then can I go out and come in back again?".
"Sorry kak, we using computer here. It don't allow us to do that.", he replied pointing at the computer.
So I told him, "I want to gostan! (Reverse out from the place)."
I think if I own a piece of land in KL, I would also want to be in the parking business. Everyday just collect cold-hard cash from a booth *Ca-Ching! Ca-Ching!* Ok, it can be bored sometimes but hey, I can always kill time by learning all those Windows Vista, .NET 2.0 and techie stuffs. Talk about the highest level of Maslow's hierarchy man!
Couple.of.Updates
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 is now available on MSDN Subscriber downloads.
- Visual Studio 2005 Team Foundation Server December CTP is now available on MSDN Subscriber downloads
- WinFX November CTP is now available on the Windows Vista Developer Centre.
- New updated MSF for Agile Software Development process templates and guidance.
- New updated MSF for CMMI Process Improvement process guidance.
- Visual Studio 2005 Team Foundation Server December CTP is now available on MSDN Subscriber downloads
- WinFX November CTP is now available on the Windows Vista Developer Centre.
- New updated MSF for Agile Software Development process templates and guidance.
- New updated MSF for CMMI Process Improvement process guidance.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
SQL2005: Partitioning
The most common way to improve the performance of our queries to large tables containing both current and historical data is to use horizontal partitioning. Prior to SQL Server 2005, this strategy can be materialized with a partitioned view that union multiple copies of a table with the same structure that contain sets of horizontally partitioned data.
However in SQL Server 2005, there is now a new feature called Partitioned Tables. The data contained in partitioned tables can be horizontally spreaded across one or more filegroups in the database and these filegroups can be deployed to several disks to improve performance. This feature is not limited to tables alone, indexes too can be partitioned.
To demonstrate this feature, we start by defining a partition function.
CREATE PARTITION FUNCTION MonthPartition(int)
AS RANGE FOR VALUES (3, 6, 9)
The partition function specifies that four partitions (<=3, 4-6, 7-9, >9) are to be created and it only applies to an int column.
Next, create the partition scheme.
CREATE PARTITION SCHEME MonthScheme
AS PARTITION MonthPartition
TO (q1fg, q2fg, q3fg, q4fg)
The above partition scheme specifies that all the four partitions defined in the partition function will be spreaded across four filegroups (Example assumes that the filegroups have already been created).
Finally, create the partitioned table.
CREATE TABLE Orders (OrderID int, OrderMonth int, OrderDate DateTime)
ON MonthScheme (OrderMonth)
That's all to it.
However in SQL Server 2005, there is now a new feature called Partitioned Tables. The data contained in partitioned tables can be horizontally spreaded across one or more filegroups in the database and these filegroups can be deployed to several disks to improve performance. This feature is not limited to tables alone, indexes too can be partitioned.
To demonstrate this feature, we start by defining a partition function.
CREATE PARTITION FUNCTION MonthPartition(int)
AS RANGE FOR VALUES (3, 6, 9)
The partition function specifies that four partitions (<=3, 4-6, 7-9, >9) are to be created and it only applies to an int column.
Next, create the partition scheme.
CREATE PARTITION SCHEME MonthScheme
AS PARTITION MonthPartition
TO (q1fg, q2fg, q3fg, q4fg)
The above partition scheme specifies that all the four partitions defined in the partition function will be spreaded across four filegroups (Example assumes that the filegroups have already been created).
Finally, create the partitioned table.
CREATE TABLE Orders (OrderID int, OrderMonth int, OrderDate DateTime)
ON MonthScheme (OrderMonth)
That's all to it.
SQL2005: Alter.Index
Managing indexes in SQL Server 2005 has changed. All the index management functions are now located in a new and more standardized, ALTER INDEX statement. The DBCC DBREINDEX, DBCC INDEXDEFRAG and DBCC SHOWCONTIG commands are now deprecated and will be removed in future versions.
a) To rebuild an index on a table, we now use the REBUILD keyword like this:
ALTER INDEX PK_CustomerID ON Customers
REBUILD
b) To rebuild all indexes on a table, we can use the ALL keyword like this:
ALTER INDEX ALL ON Customers
REBUILD
c) To handle index fragmentation, use the REORGANIZE keyword like this:
ALTER INDEX IX_CustomerName ON Customers
REORGANIZE
d) To disable an index, use the DISABLE keyword like this:
ALTER INDEX IX_CustomerName ON Customers
DISABLLE
Note: To re-enable the index, use the REBUILD keyword as shown earlier.
e) To view size and fragmentation information, use the sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats catalog view instead. Example:
SELECT * FROM sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats
a) To rebuild an index on a table, we now use the REBUILD keyword like this:
ALTER INDEX PK_CustomerID ON Customers
REBUILD
b) To rebuild all indexes on a table, we can use the ALL keyword like this:
ALTER INDEX ALL ON Customers
REBUILD
c) To handle index fragmentation, use the REORGANIZE keyword like this:
ALTER INDEX IX_CustomerName ON Customers
REORGANIZE
d) To disable an index, use the DISABLE keyword like this:
ALTER INDEX IX_CustomerName ON Customers
DISABLLE
Note: To re-enable the index, use the REBUILD keyword as shown earlier.
e) To view size and fragmentation information, use the sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats catalog view instead. Example:
SELECT * FROM sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats
Monday, December 05, 2005
I.Survived!
Managed to return home in one piece. I'm exhausted and braindead from hours of grinding and grilling. True to what I guessed, the exam delivered a barrage of case-studies and because it was a beta exam, there were more than the usual three. When I saw the first case-study, I was stunt for 10 minutes (praying inside my heart - Please lemme pass, please, please, please.). It felt like - "I'm gonna be dead, Dead, DEAD!"
Came back from my reverie and proceeded on. As I was getting the hang of the questions, all a sudden, a tough one landed on me. *Bang* It felt like a meteor being hit by a nuke, sending me to pieces. Then on the road to recovery there came a small case-study - "HaHaHa!", I laughed. But the questions that came with it was arRRGGHHhh!!!!! *Pull Hair* *Pull Hair* I didn't even have time to complete them! I don't dare to laugh anymore.
I'm glad it is over now. Over, Over, OVER! There were so many exam takers who came and went while I was taking mine. I thought I could never leave the exam room. Well, it's over NOW! Yeah! What a relieve?! ... for a while I guessed. Like the rest, I will need to wait for eight weeks for my results.
Coming up next week will be:
- 71-444: PRO: Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
- 71-443: PRO: Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Ok-ok. I better go destress myself with Aeon Flux now to maintain my sanity.
*HuGs*
Came back from my reverie and proceeded on. As I was getting the hang of the questions, all a sudden, a tough one landed on me. *Bang* It felt like a meteor being hit by a nuke, sending me to pieces. Then on the road to recovery there came a small case-study - "HaHaHa!", I laughed. But the questions that came with it was arRRGGHHhh!!!!! *Pull Hair* *Pull Hair* I didn't even have time to complete them! I don't dare to laugh anymore.
I'm glad it is over now. Over, Over, OVER! There were so many exam takers who came and went while I was taking mine. I thought I could never leave the exam room. Well, it's over NOW! Yeah! What a relieve?! ... for a while I guessed. Like the rest, I will need to wait for eight weeks for my results.
Coming up next week will be:
- 71-444: PRO: Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
- 71-443: PRO: Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Ok-ok. I better go destress myself with Aeon Flux now to maintain my sanity.
*HuGs*
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Why.Do.I.Take.Exams?
"Why are you always taking exams?!" - That's a common question from people I know.
Yeah! If you notice it, I'm always taking exams. No - It wasn't a result from a traumatic childhood experience of being forced to go tuition, get good grades or being locked in a room to study. No - I wasn't a studious person with thick speckie when I was kid, infact, I was quite playful and usually do badly in my exams. Finally, No - I am not from another planet. *HeHe*
Exams do send shivers to me - once, I vomitted non-stop before sitting for my exams and nearly got admitted into the hospital. I normally get insomnia and gastric the day before I sit for any exams and would probably get a migraine the day after that due to lack of sleep. My parents would know that very well.
So, how come I am still taking exams despite all those side-effects? Afterall, I do have a choice to stay away from them. There are several reasons why I take exams. Firstly, I would like to conquer my fear (Yeah! Fear Factor) - the anxiety of taking exams. Nowadays, I suffer less from those side-effects I mentioned earlier but they are still not gone.
Secondly, exams keep me sharp and tested on the knowledge I possess. I have set myself a quota of three exams every year since 1999 and every year, I have been consistently achieving them - some years like this one, I exceed my quota. ;) If I don't go for certification exams, I will go for my degree exams. Anything as long as it helps me learn something new and get tested.
Exams also allow me to experience and accept my failures. Although I usually pass the exams I take but there are times when I fail miserably and initially, it was hard for me to accept those failures. But now, whenever I failed, I will analyze what went wrong, what were my weaknesses and try to do better the next time.
I don't really know when I will stop taking exams. Probably, as long as I find excitement in the things I do and there is knowledge for me to acquire, I guessed I will keep doing it if I'm still capable. So, the next time you discover that I'm taking an exam, just give me a pat on the back and wish me luck. ;)
*HuGs*
Yeah! If you notice it, I'm always taking exams. No - It wasn't a result from a traumatic childhood experience of being forced to go tuition, get good grades or being locked in a room to study. No - I wasn't a studious person with thick speckie when I was kid, infact, I was quite playful and usually do badly in my exams. Finally, No - I am not from another planet. *HeHe*
Exams do send shivers to me - once, I vomitted non-stop before sitting for my exams and nearly got admitted into the hospital. I normally get insomnia and gastric the day before I sit for any exams and would probably get a migraine the day after that due to lack of sleep. My parents would know that very well.
So, how come I am still taking exams despite all those side-effects? Afterall, I do have a choice to stay away from them. There are several reasons why I take exams. Firstly, I would like to conquer my fear (Yeah! Fear Factor) - the anxiety of taking exams. Nowadays, I suffer less from those side-effects I mentioned earlier but they are still not gone.
Secondly, exams keep me sharp and tested on the knowledge I possess. I have set myself a quota of three exams every year since 1999 and every year, I have been consistently achieving them - some years like this one, I exceed my quota. ;) If I don't go for certification exams, I will go for my degree exams. Anything as long as it helps me learn something new and get tested.
Exams also allow me to experience and accept my failures. Although I usually pass the exams I take but there are times when I fail miserably and initially, it was hard for me to accept those failures. But now, whenever I failed, I will analyze what went wrong, what were my weaknesses and try to do better the next time.
I don't really know when I will stop taking exams. Probably, as long as I find excitement in the things I do and there is knowledge for me to acquire, I guessed I will keep doing it if I'm still capable. So, the next time you discover that I'm taking an exam, just give me a pat on the back and wish me luck. ;)
*HuGs*
Brace.Myself
Have been chewing on SQL Books Online for the past few days. *Stress* It appears that the 071-441: PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 may not be so straight-forward afterall. The skills being measured looks pretty complicated for this one with most of them beginning with the word 'Design' i.e. Design tests for query performance, Design and implement application security, Design data flow architecture etc.
I somehow feel that most of the items for this exam require heavy reading and experience. Unlike the previous exam, they are not things that can be picked up from typing-in keywords in the index. With such limited resources and reading materials, plus my deteriorating memory, I'm really up against a tough one this time. I have a hunch that it will be a case-study-like exam, something like the MCSD 70-300 Solutions Architecture exam.
I'm now 24 hours away from the exam and I'm still unsure of what I'm reading is appropriate. Hitting hard on the theory side now (The previous one was all practical). I did thought of chickinin'out when I first saw the skills being measured but decided to push ahead anyway. There's no harm going for it since it will be a good experience (and test) for me but it is a high chance that it will be a suicide-attempt.
All I need now is some courage and a little luck!
I somehow feel that most of the items for this exam require heavy reading and experience. Unlike the previous exam, they are not things that can be picked up from typing-in keywords in the index. With such limited resources and reading materials, plus my deteriorating memory, I'm really up against a tough one this time. I have a hunch that it will be a case-study-like exam, something like the MCSD 70-300 Solutions Architecture exam.
I'm now 24 hours away from the exam and I'm still unsure of what I'm reading is appropriate. Hitting hard on the theory side now (The previous one was all practical). I did thought of chickinin'out when I first saw the skills being measured but decided to push ahead anyway. There's no harm going for it since it will be a good experience (and test) for me but it is a high chance that it will be a suicide-attempt.
All I need now is some courage and a little luck!
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Phantom.Demystified
Finally found out who smsed me - it turns out to be one of my colleagues *HuHuHu* *paiseh* *paiseh* Sorry buddy, *sweating* didn't know it was you and I don't have you on my home MSN list. Next time, just stick to our names or our work e-mail id okies? *HuGs*
Phantom.and.Stubborness
Weird weird weird - That's how I felt with some people for the past two days. Perhaps the alignment of the stars or planets were the cause. Pluto got 'swallowed' by Uranus maybe.
There is this dude who smsed me to ask for my help on a technical problem but refuses to tell me his/her name despite several exchanges of smses. All I was given was a Hotmail id which the dude claimed I have on my list but I don't. I wonder if it is so difficult to mention his/her name when requesting for help. I mean at least show some form of sincerity and have some basic manners in communication. No one likes to be talking to phantoms.
The second incident was a dude in an online forum. Despite several explanations and solutions to his technical problem, he just refuses to try the solutions. Basically, he had a column name mismatch and all he needs to do is to match them - as simple as that. The thread went on and on and he asked for a working example to get around the problem which all the solutions I provided had shown him. If only he tried them out, he won't be wasting our time.
Weird...
There is this dude who smsed me to ask for my help on a technical problem but refuses to tell me his/her name despite several exchanges of smses. All I was given was a Hotmail id which the dude claimed I have on my list but I don't. I wonder if it is so difficult to mention his/her name when requesting for help. I mean at least show some form of sincerity and have some basic manners in communication. No one likes to be talking to phantoms.
The second incident was a dude in an online forum. Despite several explanations and solutions to his technical problem, he just refuses to try the solutions. Basically, he had a column name mismatch and all he needs to do is to match them - as simple as that. The thread went on and on and he asked for a working example to get around the problem which all the solutions I provided had shown him. If only he tried them out, he won't be wasting our time.
Weird...
Friday, December 02, 2005
Shock.After.Shock
Just finished my 071-431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance exam an hour ago and this time, it was easier for me as I followed the items in the "Skills Being Measured" diligently - not a single line was missed! I guessed I had learned from my previous mistake. *HuHuHaHa* I managed to cruise through the first 30 questions in the first hour but slowed down after the questions became harder and my brain starts to tire.
I also took the time to review all the questions and re-answering some of the questions which I had tembak. Overall, it was a good exam and I hope I can pass it to earn the Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005 credential. Coming up next will be a tougher one which is the 071-441: PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exam scheduled on Monday.
On the way home, I met with an accident - a four car pile-up and I was lucky to be the first car in front. The last car must have tried to speed through the traffic-lights and hit into the cars at the back setting off a chain of *BANG* *Bang* *bang*. My car was pushed three feet away from the second car but seemed to be unharmed. The front of the car that hit me was also ok but it had a dent on its back. The car behind it, the third in the pile, was wrecked. Can't see the fourth one.
Since my car and the second was ok, we left the scene. I was still shaking as I drove. When I reached home, I asked dad to help me inspect my car and he said my bumper appears to be slightly dented from a certain angle. I can't see anything though. He then asked me to go buy Toto. *Duuuuh*
I also took the time to review all the questions and re-answering some of the questions which I had tembak. Overall, it was a good exam and I hope I can pass it to earn the Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005 credential. Coming up next will be a tougher one which is the 071-441: PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exam scheduled on Monday.
On the way home, I met with an accident - a four car pile-up and I was lucky to be the first car in front. The last car must have tried to speed through the traffic-lights and hit into the cars at the back setting off a chain of *BANG* *Bang* *bang*. My car was pushed three feet away from the second car but seemed to be unharmed. The front of the car that hit me was also ok but it had a dent on its back. The car behind it, the third in the pile, was wrecked. Can't see the fourth one.
Since my car and the second was ok, we left the scene. I was still shaking as I drove. When I reached home, I asked dad to help me inspect my car and he said my bumper appears to be slightly dented from a certain angle. I can't see anything though. He then asked me to go buy Toto. *Duuuuh*
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Rolling.Rolling.Rolling
I have been quite busy recently. Last week, I was in Singapore for the regional New Hire Bootcamp where I get to meet other newbies like me who had joined the company for the past three months. It was a fun trip but rather a tiring one. It was also my first experience in cooking something other than maggi-mee in the team-building activity.
The SGDN guys were kind enough to throw two dinners for me. The first one was with the committee members and the second was with the student community (or what was supposed to be the new Stickies.NET team initially). I would like to thank WeeHyong (my database idol) for picking me up from Changi airport and sending me to the hotel and for giving me a 30 minutes crash-tour of Sentosa Island. It was a shame that it was raining that day. Otherwise, I could have taken some pretty good photographs.
I would also like to thank Alvin Lau for taking the extra effort in organizing the community dinners to allow me to meet-up with so many wonderful developers. The trip was quite hectic for me as I was also in the midst of preparing the content and cooking up the strategy to deliver my workshop back in Malaysia. I was engaged to deliver a workshop on Application and Services Architecture for our customers - which I had conducted yesterday.
Although most of the stuff were my forte, I had problems expressing them in writing like most developers. So, I had took a considerable amount of time in preparing the slides. Initially, I was not motivated by the small number of registrations but I'm glad that we have over-registrations at the last moment.
I had learned a lot from delivering this workshop. Architecture topics are always dry and I had tried my best to inject some fun to it. The idea of a case-study exercise from my colleague was a good one. I'm quite happy to see the attendees applying what they learned in the workshop. Some was quite passionate about their architecture design and concepts during their presentation. Some of the concepts maybe difficult to grasps and I guessed I should have designed some demos instead of just chai-talk. I will definitely do that next time.
Although the workshop is now over, there is still no time for me to rest. I will be sitting for my 071-431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance exam tomorrow and 071-441: PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exam on Monday. I sure hope to atleast pass one of them since there isn't enough time and materials for me to prepare. I've been reading SQL Books Online like nobody's business since I've registered for the exams.
And lastly before I sign-off, I just want to say that my '90-day evaluation period' has expired yesterday and I'm glad that my company has decided to 'purchase the license' for my continuous usage. In simpler English - I have been confirmed. ;)
The SGDN guys were kind enough to throw two dinners for me. The first one was with the committee members and the second was with the student community (or what was supposed to be the new Stickies.NET team initially). I would like to thank WeeHyong (my database idol) for picking me up from Changi airport and sending me to the hotel and for giving me a 30 minutes crash-tour of Sentosa Island. It was a shame that it was raining that day. Otherwise, I could have taken some pretty good photographs.
I would also like to thank Alvin Lau for taking the extra effort in organizing the community dinners to allow me to meet-up with so many wonderful developers. The trip was quite hectic for me as I was also in the midst of preparing the content and cooking up the strategy to deliver my workshop back in Malaysia. I was engaged to deliver a workshop on Application and Services Architecture for our customers - which I had conducted yesterday.
Although most of the stuff were my forte, I had problems expressing them in writing like most developers. So, I had took a considerable amount of time in preparing the slides. Initially, I was not motivated by the small number of registrations but I'm glad that we have over-registrations at the last moment.
I had learned a lot from delivering this workshop. Architecture topics are always dry and I had tried my best to inject some fun to it. The idea of a case-study exercise from my colleague was a good one. I'm quite happy to see the attendees applying what they learned in the workshop. Some was quite passionate about their architecture design and concepts during their presentation. Some of the concepts maybe difficult to grasps and I guessed I should have designed some demos instead of just chai-talk. I will definitely do that next time.
Although the workshop is now over, there is still no time for me to rest. I will be sitting for my 071-431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance exam tomorrow and 071-441: PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 exam on Monday. I sure hope to atleast pass one of them since there isn't enough time and materials for me to prepare. I've been reading SQL Books Online like nobody's business since I've registered for the exams.
And lastly before I sign-off, I just want to say that my '90-day evaluation period' has expired yesterday and I'm glad that my company has decided to 'purchase the license' for my continuous usage. In simpler English - I have been confirmed. ;)
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