Windows on Andy M Mallon - AM²

Function to create SQL TABLE does not works well using Powershell

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 11:41:40 -0400

Question

I need to get the values from a Excel Sheet (in a shared folder) to export it and then create a SQL Table in my instance. After of this I will execute a Stored Procedure (I already created) in order to create extended properties for a specific schema on tables,columns and rows.

Is my VM hyperthreaded?

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 23:01:37 -0400

Question

I’ve been provided a VMware ESXi VM (running Windows Server 2016 SE) with 8 logical processors, but I can’t tell whether the VM is hyperthreaded. (This matters for SQL Server.)

C:\Users\XXXXXXX>wmic CPU Get DeviceID,NumberOfCores,NumberOfLogicalProcessors
DeviceID NumberOfCores NumberOfLogicalProcessors
CPU0 2 2
CPU1 2 2
CPU2 2 2
CPU3 2 2

wmic says there are four CPUs each with two cores. Does fact that there are two logical processors on each core mean that HT is disabled?

Can't use GitKraken on private repositories

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 12:03:21 -0500

Question

I’ve been using GitKraken for a while now, since about May of this year and it never gave me any trouble, except for now. I was working on a school project and GitKraken now prevents me from opening its repository, because, apparently, this is now a Pro feature, although, I have a Github Pro account, which I use to login in Gitkraken, so, I should have access to Pro features, but I don’t.

Does a Window 10 license allow using it as a Web server?

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 17:50:53 -0400

Question

I am looking to set up a Web server for a project.

The server would be using a custom application developed in VB.Net using SQL Server for data storage. The application uses 3rd party components (DLL’s) that are available for Windows only.

Using PowerShell to tidy up CSV files

Fri, 28 Dec 2018 13:31:18 -0500

I was recently fussing with a CSV file that had an inconsistent number of columns. UGH. There was a bunch of historical data that had 4 columns, and then more recent data had a new attribute added with 5 columns. I spent a few minutes cursing whoever was responsible, then moved on.

Using PowerShell to navigate SQL Server as a drive

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 12:33:04 -0500

I might be a SQL Server pro, but I’m still a PowerShell novice. I learn best by doing, so I keep pushing myself to do more with PowerShell so that I can learn more.

If you don’t already know this about the SqlServer PowerShell Module, you can access SQL Server via a path, as if it were a drive.

Reconnect "not connected" query windows in SSMS to original connection

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 14:20:38 -0400

Question

Is there a simple way to reconnect a query window that is “not connected” to the original connection that was used by that query without manually picking the server name needed? If I click the Connect button on the SQL Editor toolbar or right click -> Connection -> Connect… it defaults the server name to the last connection I used in that SSMS session, not to the last connection used by that specific query window.

Troubleshooting Powershell errors from SQL Agent job

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 13:29:54 -0400

Question

I have a powershell script that I am trying to add in to a sql agent job, but the job step is failing with the following error

A job step received an error at line 1 in a PowerShell script. The corresponding line is 'import-module SQLPS -DisableNameChecking'. Correct the script and reschedule the job. The error information returned by PowerShell is: 'Could not load file or assembly 'file:///C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\130\Tools\PowerShell\Modules\SQLPS\Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.PSSnapins.dll' or one of its dependencies. This assembly is built by a runtime newer than the currently loaded runtime and cannot be loaded.

I assumed that the error was being caused by differences in the module path, so I explicitly set the path via $env:PSModulePath to match the path of my powershell session where the code runs fine. I am pretty new to powershell, so any help you could provide would be appreciated

PowerShell can't see network locations after SQLPS module is loaded

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 11:38:16 -0400

Question

I’m trying to automate a script that backups a database in one environment, copies it to the other, then restores it there. But there’s some strange behavior going on.

First, I try to access a network location. Works like a bliss:

Shortcuts Cheat Sheet - SSMS & Windows

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:00:29 -0500

Edit: I've published an updated version of my cheat sheet. Find the latest version by in the sidebar -->

I've presented my **Shortcuts from an Impatient DBA** talk a few times now, and I really love it. Everyone learns something, whether you're a Junior Developer, or a multi-decade veteran, or a Data Platform MVP.

This past weekend, after presenting at SQLSaturday Chicago, Brent Ozar (blog|twitter) suggested that as an attendee, it would have been nice to have some sort of handout to follow along with. I guess Brent was learning so many things that he couldn’t take notes fast enough.

Windows cluster failed over, but SQL instances didn't move

Mon, 04 Jan 2016 13:48:24 -0500

Question

I recently inherited a SQL Cluster (2008R2) which for the most part behaves itself impeccably.

The windows cluster is made up of two nodes running Active/Passive, Node1 and Node2 are dedicated blades in two different data centers. There are 3 SQL instances all running on Node1. Quorum is established by a File Share Witness and we have a heartbeat between the two nodes.

Tip: Windows Explorer address bar hack

Fri, 29 May 2015 13:30:00 -0400

Shortcuts & tips from an Impatient DBA #5

This series of short posts will demonstrate some lesser-known features, keyboard shortcuts, and other tips that make my day as a DBA more productive. None of these are groundbreaking super-secret features–they are the little things that I do as part of my daily work that make me more efficient.