Applied Visual Studio Team System

Microsoft announces the SQL Server Hosting Toolkit.

It's a command line-based scripting tool. This is the first CTP so it's limited in proposed functionality - but even so, it's already impressive.

After installing the utility, access it from the Start menu:

I immediately aimed it at AdventureWorks in a local instance of SQl Server 2005 on my laptop - hoping to generate a database script. It failed:

At this point, I decided to read the ReadMe file:

There's a link to Known Issues which took me to a page describing supported database objects and unsupported data types. The returned error listed the database table where the issue originated (nice touch!): DatabaseLog. It turns out DatabaseLog contains an XML field - one of the unsupported types.

To test, I first created a database and added one of each supported database object - a table, index, view, and stored procedure:

I added data to the table with an index, created a view that returned SELECT *..., and created a sproc that accepted a single parameter (id) and returned everything in the view. After test execution of the sproc, I used SQLPubWiz to generate scripts for the database:

I next deleted the objects I created earlier and used the generated script to recreate them. Executing the sproc returned an error - it no longer existed.

One cool feature I noticed right away is the data in the table is also included in the script. Re-executing the sproc proved the database and data had been restored.

Technorati Tags: SQLPubWiz SQL Server Hosting Toolkit SQL Server Utilities

Changing jobs is tough. It's a job in and of itself.

Most regulars here know I moved from Jacksonville, FL last year to be closer to Christy's and my folks in Virginia. We've settled in Farmville, VA and love it here.

I recently received a call from Solid Quality Learning and have accepted an offer to become a Solid Quality Learning Mentor.

It's a huge honor to work with these legends of SQL Server. For someone who enjoys learning as much as I do, it is an added bonus! I am learning more than I have in a long while.

Most important, Solid Quality Learning is everything it appears - a very cool company of awesome technology professionals.

But I've been spoiled lately at my current position with CapTech Ventures, Inc. CapTech is also an awesome company. It's been an honor to work for them as well - and they have treated me well. CapTech is headquartered in Richmond, VA and most of their work is in the Richmond area. They're a consulting firm - putting people into strategic project roles with businesses to accomplish some business goal or perform a business role.

CapTech is growing like crazy. My theory about why is twofold: 1) they hire good people and 2) they treat them well. If you're a Richmond technologist (or a technologist thinking of moving to Richmond), you owe CapTech Ventures Careers page a look.

So I bid CapTech farewell with thanks for the experiences, and look forward with excitement to this new relationship with Solid Quality Learning!

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: About Andy Solid Quality Learning CapTech Ventures Richmond, VA