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Stages of Data: The DNA of a Database Developer, Part 1
Last updated: Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2024 - May/June
In this article, Kevin Goff discusses various skills and concepts that are important for database developers, especially those looking to prepare for an employment interview. He emphasizes the importance of understanding SQL and database fundamentals, such as indexes and different types of joins. He also highlights the significance of knowing about data profiling, isolation levels, and slowly-changing dimensions in data warehousing. He also encourages experimentation and hands-on practice with tools like PowerShell and SQL Server Reporting Services.
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Create Your Own SQL Compare Utility Using GetSchema()
Last updated: Friday, February 24, 2023
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2023 - March/April
Learn how to use the GetSchema() method on the DbConnection class to retrieve tables, views, columns, index, stored procedures, and more from any database system. Create an instance of the SqlConnection or OracleConnection, or your own provider's implementation of the DbConnection class, and pass a valid connection string to the constructor to use the GetSchema() method.
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Introduction to Snowflake
Last updated: Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2023 - March/April
In this article, author Rod Paddock introduces Snowflake, a cloud-based SQL database that offers a range of capabilities for developers. Paddock discusses the features of Snowflake, such as its cloud-agnostic nature, support for querying JSON data, and secure data sharing capabilities. He explains how Snowflake's unique architecture allows for "infinite" computing through its warehouse concept and provides insights into using Snowsight, the web-based application for managing Snowflake infrastructure. Rod also discusses building a data loading pipeline, securing data with masking, and sharing data with other Snowflake users. He concludes by highlighting the power and user-friendly nature of Snowflake as a game-changing product.
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Some Overlooked EF Core 7 Changes and Improvements
Last updated: Friday, February 24, 2023
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2023 - March/April
Great updates for EF Core 7 include explicit methods FromSqlRaw and FromSqlInterpolated. The SqlQuery method lets you pass in a raw SQL query to get scalar data directly from the database. And many more cool features. Read about them in Julie article.
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The Rich Set of Data Annotation and Validation Attributes in .NET
Last updated: Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2023 - January/February
Paul teachs how to use many of the data annotations available in .NET; likely the ones you will use most often. Plus he shows you how to build custom validation attributes using the [CustomValidation] attribute. Finally, learn to localize error messages using resource files.
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Event Sourcing and CQRS with Marten
Last updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2022 - September/October
After examining persisted system states in a relational database, Jeremy discovers that he needs to use the Marten library to provide robust support for Event Sourcing.
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Putting Data Science into Power BI
Last updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2022 - September/October
Power BI seems to have everything you need for data analytics. Helen shows you how to get the most out of it and how to make some cool charts, too.
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Fast Application Persistence with Marten
Last updated: Friday, April 8, 2022
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2022 - May/June
You don’t want to wait—and you don’t want your users to wait—while your application completely rebuilds itself for a simple query. Jeffrey shows you how Marten can store whole documents as a single element in your database and deliver the whole thing in one quick gesture.
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Data Structures and Algorithms
Last updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2021 - November/December
Sahil collects his favorite tools and tells you why they should be your favorites too.
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Can You Keep a Secret? Azure Can!
Last updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2021 - May/June
Learn how to leverage Microsoft Identity via Azure Active Directory (AAD) to secure a Web application. Julie shows you how to store a database’s connection string along with its elements in Azure Key Vault.
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Tapping into EF Core’s Pipeline
Last updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2021 - March/April
Julie describes new EF Core 5 metadata features and how to use them, including ToQueryString, DbCloggerCategory, DbContext.SavingChanges, DbContext.SavedChanges, DbContext.SaveChangesFailed, Dotnet-counters, ChangeTracker.DebugView and Model.DebugView.
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Calling Stored Procedures with the Entity Framework in .NET 5
Last updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2021 - January/February
Paul shows you how to avoid the frustration of having to determine a stored procedure’s function before you call it by using Entity Framework in .NET 5. Learn how to make calls to stored procedures using Entity Framework in .NET 5.x.
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EF Core 5: Building on the Foundation
Last updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Published in: CODE Focus Magazine: 2020 - Vol. 17 - Issue 1 - .NET 5.0
Julie’s pretty excited about the new features in EF Core 5. You will be too when you read about the bugs fixed, over 200 new features (including many-to-many support and the ability to filter when eager loading with the Include method) and minor enhancements and support for previous versions.
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Stages of Data: A Playbook for Analytic Reporting Using COVID-19 Data, Part 2
Last updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2020 - September/October
Developers should know their data before they spend a lot of effort analyzing it. For example, at face value, you should know if your data is in the millions or billions, and know "that's what the data said" is not the right answer if the data is bizarre. This article in Kevin Goff's Stages of Data series using PowerBI introduces a new state profile page with ranking formulas, new trend-based measures, defining custom filter groups, and more.
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Power Query: Excel’s Hidden Weapon
Last updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2020 - July/August
Helen talks about how to use Power Query, a tool that's part of Excel and Power BI that enables you to automate the ETL process of bringing data into Excel. Learn to create an elegant ETL process in Power Query to first bring in the data, then later refresh it with a single button
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Stages of Data: A Playbook for Analytic Reporting Using COVID-19 Data
Last updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2020 - July/August
Kevin uses Power BI mapping to track a constantly changing array of data about the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how pick the right data; it doesn't all come from just a few sources.
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Discovering AWS for .NET Developers
Last updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2020 - May/June
Learn a bit about how Amazon Web Services (AWS) supports .NET platforms including hosting ASP.NET Core apps.
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Entity Framework Core 3.0: A Foundation for the Future
Last updated: Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Published in: CODE Focus Magazine: 2019 - Vol. 16 - Issue 1 - .NET Core 3.0
The latest release of Entity Framework gets it geared up for some big future changes. Julie shows you that the changes are nothing to sneeze at.
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Synchronizing Databases Using Microsoft Sync Framework
Last updated: Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2019 - July/August
If you’ve got multiple data stores, you have to keep them synced or you’ve got trouble on your hands. Joydip makes it look easy using Sync Framework.
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Stages of Data #1: A New Beginning
Last updated: Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2018 - November/December
Kevin leaves his SQL Server-focused Baker’s Dozen behind and launches into a new series looking at the various stages of data warehousing. His first installment includes a look at reporting and storage layers, handy tips, and dealing with the business side of development.
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Entity Framework Core 2.1: Heck Yes, It’s Production Ready!
Last updated: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2018 - July/August
With this release, EF Core has really matured. Julie takes you on a tour and points out some of the highlights of this labor-simplifying tool.
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Refactoring a Reporting Services Report with Some SQL Magic
Last updated: Monday, April 26, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2018 - May/June
The point of showing data in graphical form is to make things clear, right? Keven shows you how the best of intentions can go wrong and how to repair the damage.
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Better Extract/Transform/Load (ETL) Practices in Data Warehousing (Part 2 of 2)
Last updated: Thursday, April 29, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2018 - March/April
Kevin shows us how to solve tangles in SQL Server, and in this article, he looks at some questions that have come up since his last article on ETL practices in Data Warehousing.
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A SQL Programming Puzzle: You Never Stop Learning
Last updated: Thursday, May 6, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2018 - January/February
Kevin learns the hard way how to estimate a process’ duration and he uses a clever bit of code to figure it out.
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The Baker’s Dozen: 13 Tips for Better Extract/Transform/Load (ETL) Practices in Data Warehousing (Part 1 of 2)
Last updated: Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2017 - September/October
In this first installment of his ETL articles, Kevin shows you what to do—and even what not to do—when designing your Data Warehouse.
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Azure Skyline: Data in Cloud Applications
Last updated: Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2017 - July/August
Mike looks at the technology that allows multiple teams to connect and scale their data despite disparate data storage methods.
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SQL Server Reporting Services: Seven Power Tips
Last updated: Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2017 - May/June
You already know that SQL Server’s Reporting Services tools are useful. Kevin shows you some nifty work-arounds and extra-credit tricks that will make your reports sing.
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Processing Large Datasets Using C# and SQL Server Table Data Types
Last updated: Friday, May 28, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2017 - January/February
If you’ve got large datasets, you don’t want to slow the system down every time you save them to your SQL Server database. Rod shows you an uncomplicated way to keep your records zipping along.
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The Baker’s Dozen: 13 Great Things to Know About SQL Server 2016
Last updated: Monday, June 7, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2016 - September/October
All eyes were on Microsoft when the latest version of SQL Server came out a couple of months ago. If you want to know what’s so great about it, you need to read Kevin’s handy summary.
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The Baker’s Dozen: 13- SQL Server Interview Questions
Last updated: Friday, June 25, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2016 - January/February
Kevin uses his experience on both sides of the interview table to help you wow at your next interview. Not only that, but you’ll probably pick up a few pointers, too!
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The Baker’s Dozen: 13 Miscellaneous Transact-SQL Tips
Last updated: Friday, July 2, 2021
Published in: CODE Magazine: 2015 - September/October
Whether you’re new to T-SQL or not, you’re sure to find something interesting among Kevin’s tips for using it, no matter which version of SQL Server you’re using.