1. Tools and Tips:
From Accidental to Efficient Data Warehouse Developer
Cathrine Wilhelmsen, Data Platform MVP
Moderated by: Christian Reich

2. Session Description
You have probably heard about the Accidental DBA, but what about the Accidental
Data Warehouse Developer? We stumbled into the world of data warehousing, learned
dimensional modeling and work with T-SQL and SSIS daily. We are masters of googling
solutions to our problems and making sure our ETL processes run without errors. We
deliver data to business users… and the more we deliver, the more they want. This is a
good thing! But how do we keep up with the increased demand?
You might not be able to rewrite your entire ETL process or change your team's
processes over night, but there are many things you can do to increase your own
productivity and become a more efficient and valuable Data Warehouse developer.
In this session, I will show you some of what I have learned and discovered that has
made me say "Oh wow! Why did I not know this yesterday!?" - including SSMS features,
tools for query analysis and tuning, free tools and scripts, Biml for SSIS and even a
couple of things I used to think were only useful for those scary DBAs.

3. cathrinew.net
@cathrinew
/in/cathrinewilhelmsen
Cathrine Wilhelmsen
Data Warehouse Architect and Developer
PASS Community Evangelist and SQLSaturday Coordinator

4. Experience?
T-SQL?
SSIS?
you…

5. once upon a time...

7. how I felt…

9. how I want to be...

11. ef·fi·cient
Performing or functioning in the best possible
manner with the least waste of time and effort

12. SSMS
Queries
Biml for SSIS
what?
DgRw

13. Tip #1: Visual Information

14. Connection Colors

15. Status Bar and Tab Text

16. Results in Separate Tab

17. Tab Groups - Vertical

18. Tab Groups - Horizontal

19. Split one query in two windows

20. Pin Tabs

21. Tip #2: Shortcuts

22. Query Shortcuts

23. Keyboard Shortcuts
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/ssms/sql-server-management-studio-keyboard-shortcuts
Assign shortcuts
you frequently use
Remove shortcuts you
accidentally click
(no more "ooops")

24. Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet
am2.co/shortcuts
by Andy Mallon (@AMtwo)

25. HOME END
PG UP PG DNCTRL ALT
SHIFT TAB
Magic keys!

26. CTRL R
Show / Hide Query Results

27. ALTSHIFT ENTER
Toggle Full Screen

28. TABCTRL
Cycle through windows

29. CTRL U
Change database

30. SHIFTALT
Column / Multi-Line Editing

31. CTRL K CTRL C
Comment Line
CTRL K CTRL U
Uncomment Line
Comment / Uncomment

32. CTRL SHIFT V
Last 20 text items copied are
saved in memory
Cycle through them to paste
the text you need
Clipboard Ring

33. Too many shortcuts? Use Quick Launch

34. Tip #3: Search in SSMS

35. Free Tool: Redgate SQL Search
red-gate.com/products/sql-development/sql-search/

36. Free Tool: Redgate SQL Search

37. Redgate SQL Search
ApexSQL Search
SSMS Tools Pack (Licensed)
SSMS Boost
SQL Hunting Dog
SqlSmash
red-gate.com
apexsql.com
ssmstoolspack.com
ssmsboost.com
sql-hunting-dog.com
sqlsmash.com
Tools: Search in SSMS

38. Tip #4: Templates and Snippets

39. Template Browser
Create Templates
CTRL ALT T
Templates

40. Replace Template Parameters with actual values
CTRL SHIFT M
Template Parameters

41. CTRL K CTRL X
Insert Snippet
CTRL K CTRL S
Surround With Snippet
Snippets

42. Redgate SQL Prompt (Licensed)
ApexSQL Complete / Refactor
SSMS Tools Pack (Licensed)
SSMS Boost
Poor Man's T-SQL Formatter
dbForge SQL Complete (Licensed)
SQL Formatter
SqlSmash
red-gate.com
apexsql.com
ssmstoolspack.com
ssmsboost.com
poorsql.com
devart.com/dbforge
sql-format.com
sqlsmash.com
Advanced Snippets and Formatting

43. Redgate SQL Prompt Demo

44. Tip #5: Registered Servers and
Multiserver Queries

45. Registered Servers
Save and group servers
Is the server running?
Multiserver Queries
View Registered Servers
CTRL ALT G

46. Manage services from SSMS

47. Multiserver Queries

48. Multiserver Queries

49. Tip #6: SARGable Queries

50. SARGable Queries
"The query can efficiently seek using an index to find
the rows searched for in WHERE or JOIN clauses"
Compare it to finding a person in a phone book
(…let's just pretend we still use phone books…)

51. SARGable Queries
Adama, Lee
Adama, William
Agathon, Karl
Baltar, Gaius
Dualla, Anastasia
Gaeta, Felix
Henderson, Cally
Roslin, Laura
Thrace, Kara
Tigh, Saul
Tyrol, Galen
Valerii, Sharon
Find all rows where Name starts with 'T'

52. SARGable Queries
Adama, Lee
Adama, William
Agathon, Karl
Baltar, Gaius
Dualla, Anastasia
Gaeta, Felix
Henderson, Cally
Roslin, Laura
Thrace, Kara
Tigh, Saul
Tyrol, Galen
Valerii, Sharon
Find all rows where Name starts with 'T'

53. Non-SARGable Queries
"The query has to scan each row in the table to find the
rows searched for in WHERE or JOIN clauses"
Compare it to finding a person in a phone book
(…let's just keep pretending we still use phone books…)

54. Non-SARGable Queries
Adama, Lee
Adama, William
Agathon, Karl
Baltar, Gaius
Dualla, Anastasia
Gaeta, Felix
Henderson, Cally
Roslin, Laura
Thrace, Kara
Tigh, Saul
Tyrol, Galen
Valerii, Sharon
Find all rows where Name contains 'al'

55. Non-SARGable Queries
Adama, Lee
Adama, William
Agathon, Karl
Baltar, Gaius
Dualla, Anastasia
Gaeta, Felix
Henderson, Cally
Roslin, Laura
Thrace, Kara
Tigh, Saul
Tyrol, Galen
Valerii, Sharon
Find all rows where Name contains 'al'

56. sqlbits.com/Sessions/Event7/Understanding_SARGability_to_make_your_queries_run_faster

57. Tip #7: Query Analysis

58. Execution Plans
Display Estimated Execution Plan
CTRL L
Include Actual Execution Plan
CTRL M

59. Execution Plans
See how a query will be executed:

60. Details in Tooltips

61. Details in Properties

62. Live Query Statistics
Include Live Query Statistics

63. Live Query Statistics
Include Live Query Statistics

64. Free Tool: SentryOne Plan Explorer
sentryone.com/plan-explorer

65. Free Tool: SentryOne Plan Explorer
answers.sqlperformance.com

66. red-gate.com/hub/books/
Free Book: SQL Server Execution Plans
by Grant Fritchey (@GFritchey)

67. Tip #8: Query Statistics

68. Statistics IO
SET STATISTICS IO OFF;
SET STATISTICS IO ON;

69. Statistics Time
SET STATISTICS TIME OFF;
SET STATISTICS TIME ON;

70. Statistics Time and IO
SET STATISTICS TIME, IO ON;
SET STATISTICS TIME, IO OFF;

71. Free Tool: Statistics Parser
statisticsparser.com
by Richie Rump (@Jorriss)

72. Client Statistics
Include Client Statistics
SHIFT SALT

73. Client Statistics
Compare multiple query executions:

74. Tip #9: Activity Monitoring

75. sqlblog.com/blogs/adam_machanic
Free Script: sp_WhoIsActive
By Adam Machanic (@AdamMachanic)

76. Free Script: sp_WhoIsActive
sqlblog.com/blogs/adam_machanic
By Adam Machanic (@AdamMachanic)

77. Tip #10: SSIS with Biml

78. …what do you need me to do after lunch?
Of course I can create 200 SSIS Packages!

79. Business Intelligence Markup Language
Easy to read and write XML language
Generate SSIS packages from metadata

80. What do you need?
Free add-in for SSDT
varigence.com/bimlexpress
Free online Biml editor
bimlonline.com

81. Create many SSIS packages from one Biml file
How does it work?

82. Biml for SSIS demo

83. Where can I learn more?
Free online training
bimlscript.com

84. …BimlBreak the rest of the week ☺
Biml on Monday…

85. @cathrinew
cathrinew.net
hi@cathrinew.net
Not enough details? Too fast? Don't worry!
cathrinew.net/efficient