Mary Queen of Scotts and Security

Constant Learning

Yesterday, I had the opportunity, and the privilege, to attend an all-day workshop put on by Bob Ward teaching all about SQL Server 2022 (you can take this too, Bob is presenting it at SQLSaturday Austin and SQL Bits, and there will be more). It was a great day. Bob is an excellent teacher. Even though I've been working with SQL Server 2022 for more than a year (although the release was just a few months ago), I learned a bunch. I've got material for a whole slew of blog posts and presentations.

I've heard the arguments from people who are convinced that there's really no need to upgrade SQL Server 2008. It does what they need and there's not a single compelling new feature that would make it worth their while. I'm as guilty as the next technologist of chasing after the new shiny (OK, maybe I'm worse than most of you). However, when you sit through a session like Bob's, presented by someone that knowledgeable and skilled, it's impossible not to see massive improvements in the capabilities of SQL Server.

It makes me wonder, are people learning? I mean really learning about all the new and improved functionality, not simply ticking a few boxes around the things that they care about. For example, take Profiler. If you're happy with Profiler, why upgrade? Since there hasn't been a single improvement to Profiler since 2008, there is no compelling reason to move on and up. Yeah, sure, Extended Events, but, you know, XML, come on. Plus, you can't marry Perfmon data directly to it. Done. Right?

I guess. I'm not going to go into all the cool stuff that Extended Events does or the fact that Profiler simply won't work in some places now or any of that. You're convinced and I'm not going to change your mind. However, have you sat down and really learned Extended Events? I don't mean you ran it once in 2009 and hated it. Have you learned it, understood it, explored all it offers, it's strengths, and heck yes, it's weaknesses? How about the enormous pile of other technologies introduced in the last 15 years across Azure SQL Database, SQL Server 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022? Have you learned this stuff, or have you just looked at it?

I remain convinced that the best in our business are constantly learning. I strive to emulate them. I know, I don't succeed (yesterday's lessons proved that to me, very well indeed), but I'm trying. I think the best way to reject a technology is to understand it. Yes, reject. A solid understanding let's you know, yeah, that tech is not for you. Or, it may be exactly what you've been looking for. Without learning, how are you really going to know?

Grant Fritchey

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