SSRS General tips

#. Adding Toggle (master level) as Param

     I see many reports have toggle. It will be useful to have as a parameter, to expand all toggle sections. This is apart from each section toggling.

     Have a parameter as "ToggleAll" as boolean and with default as false.

    In every textbox that has toggle functionality, use some what like ...
           

                                =Parameters!ToggleAll.Value

               

     For Table Row

               

                  

                =Not (Parameters!ToggleAll.Value)

                textbox111

            

                 

Shortcuts and Utils needed for BI and .net Developer

Below are shortcuts and needed utils for BI and .net developer

Last Updated: May 02, 2012
Sreedhar Vankayala

Windows Shortcuts

• To launch SQL BIDS ... Window + R (run) ... deveenv
• File/Folder Properties ... Select file/folder and double click with mouse
• To launch SQL Management Studio 2005 ...  Window + R (run) ... sqlwb
• To launch SQL Management Studio 2008 ...  Window + R (run) ... ssms
• To start/stop the sql server using cmd: net start/stop mssqlserver

Database Modelling

• Typically used data modellers: Erwin ( http://erwin.com/ ), ER Studio ( http://www.embarcadero.com/products/er-studio), Toad ( http://www.quest.com/toad-data-modeler/)

Utils

• Microsoft System Internals:  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/default
• Unix Utils for Windows:  http://unxutils.sourceforge.net/
• WinMerge (open source) good for comparing. Download the add on to compare excel files
• NotePad++, Textpad - Good for text editing

Videos about learning Microsoft BI

• Learn Microsoft BI
• SQLServerVideos
• SQLShare
• dnrTV!
• msdev.com
• SQLServerCentral.com
• Business Intelligence TV
• MidnightDBA
• SQL Server Training
  
  Community Events

• Virtual TechDays
• Tech-Ed
• Professional Developers Conference (PDC)
• SQL Down Under (Podcast/Audio Show)

In my experience, I have not come across any other products (Non-Microsoft) having as good documentation as that of Microsoft BI (SQL Server BI) on SQL Server Books Online. Also, the support offered by Microsoft and the community through msdn forums is excellent.

SQL Utils

http://opendbiff.codeplex.com/   

http://dbdiff.codeplex.com/   

http://sqldiffframework.codeplex.com/releases/view/45255 

http://dbsourcetools.codeplex.com/  

SSAS Tools

• BIDS Helper
• Instant SQL Formatter
• MDX & DAX Formatter

What frontend people are using for SSAS database?

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Reporting Services

ProClarity

In house build Software

Panorama Novaview

SoftPro CubePlayer

Business Objects - Voyager

Strategy Companion Analyzer

Pivotview OLAP client

Intelligencia Olap Controls

Cubeslice

Dundas Controls

Radsoft

Cognos Powerplay ...

Book: Delivering Business Intelligence with Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Book: Microsoft DW in depth (bind given by Kimball group for VCH)

               Kimball group consulting / Kimball University (course material)

http://sqlmetadata.codeplex.com/

http://asmdx.blogspot.com/2008/05/cube-structure-optimization-for-mdx.html

Computer cleanup and todo

Page talks about frequent checks 

To do on your windows pc computer
Windows 7, Vista and XP - both 32-bit and 64-bit editions

1. Updates & Backup
        - Microsoft Updates: (if turned off, once a month)
        - Anti virus updates and scan
        - Software updates
        - Backups: Backup every day or week depending on your needs (or atleast once a month)

2. Piriform (I recommend and not part of this product or company)
CCleaner is the number-one tool for cleaning your Windows PC
Defraggler to defrag your entire hard drive, or individual files
Speccy is an advanced System Information tool for your PC
        Hard drive errors

3. Defragmenting ...

4. PDF, Flash clean up and update
Most worst is this cause the computer to slow or hack ... if you dont do for 6 months or so.

5. Remove unused programs (say if you have not used for more than 2 years and you dont feel like using in the future)

6. Buy a compressed air and clean the computer. Also use alcohol tissues to clean
         once a month or as your need ...
         Never use a home vacuum cleaner, as the static generated may cause harm or perm damage.

I think it will be better if you can backup or clean. I know we all dont have time but atleast to clean up and spend 30 minutes to make the computer happy. Dont forget to restart once a week in the minimum, it is after all Microsoft :-)

Other interesting stuff:

* http://ninite.com/
Not tested completely
But gets you many components in one page, no need to visit so many web sites
        Also gives you the list of frequent components people are using ...

* Try google for computer regular maintenance
          http://computer.lifetips.com/cat/59612/computer-maintenance-tips/index.html
          http://www.pcworld.com/article/113910/regular_maintenance.html

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Eraser 6.0.10.2620 (Windows)
Topics: Encryption Software
Tags: Eraser, Hard Drive, Heidi Computers, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems,
Pattern, Software, Solid-state Memory
Source: Heidi Computers


Eraser is an advanced security tool for Windows that allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns.


Sreedhar: Not tried, but worth looking or to start with ...

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Asp.net Considerations - Architecture

Microsoft Anti-Cross Site Scripting Library V4.2

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=28589

Microsoft Web Protection Library (WPL)

http://wpl.codeplex.com/

SSIS Tips

1. During the SSIS package development,
         We can consider
               Including variables and having the count of rows of important tables and details.
               
          At the end, we can provide an email task, 
          to include the following details: (Choose what is better for your reqs)

           Subject: [DBServer]: Package: [Package Name]: Success | FAILURE

           Body: 
                    Package: [Package Name] = Success | FAILURE @ Date & Time (Note: Either use here Date & Time or Started /Ended Date&Time)
                    Started: Date&Time (Optional - only use for long packages - including seconds)
                    Ended: Date&Time (Optional - only use for long packages - including seconds)
                    
                    Variables:
                          BatchID: nnnn
                          Package Exec Key: nnnn
                          DatabaseName.SchemaName.TableName: Row Count: 
                          DatabaseName.SchemaName.TableName: Row Count: 
                          FYI Variable Values: 
                          [Other Variables - including dynamic values, this will help in long term]