SSW Update - The implementation of the XML Index in Yukon

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The Cutting Edge

Let's face it, we've all sent or received a cryptic email at some point. When you do receive a list of tasks in an email and part of it you just don't understand, dont just reply saying "I don't understand". Using email for these types of conversation will just waste time waiting for replies and I don't believe that email should be used for these types of ongoing discussions. Chances are if the sender of the task couldn't give you enough detail or explain the task well enough the first time then it's likely to be a tough task so more conversation is needed anyway. Deal with it via a telephone conversation or meeting (MSN may also be acceptable) with the person who sent the email.

Having had the conversation, reply to the email (remembering to CC all involved) with:

• The subject: "CLARIFICATION - [Original subject]"
• Update the email with the new details arising from the conversation along with all original content. (Remember to start with an "As per our conversation" line).
• Action the tasks from the email

Got a comment for Adam? Email Adam Cogan

Special SSW Tech Breakfast Offer (This Friday)

Special September offer - limited time only

Due to popular demand, we are holding two SSW Tech Breakfast's this September, and for this month only our in-depth technical learning sessions are only $99 each. There are two to choose from: The Top 15 tips for Real World Windows Forms Applications, and A big peek at ASP .NET 2 Whidbey Applications. Both are presented by Microsoft Regional Director Adam Cogan.

You can register online now or contact Rebecca or Scott on (02) 9953 3000 or 696e666f72407373772e636f6d2e6175 them to find out how you can take advantage of this great special.

Sydney .NET User Group - The best place to learn .NET for free in Sydney (Next Wednesday)

Special Speaker Gideon Schaller, from Microsoft in Redmond USA, will be joining us this month to talk about: The implementation of the XML Index in Yukon.

SQL Server 2000 has always supported XML as a data format, but without any equivalent to SQL for querying the data. That will change with Yukon, which includes the W3C's XML Query Language. It's a bit like SQL but works vastly different because of the radical difference between relational data and XML's hierarchical structure.

As XML usage grows for both data-centric and document-centric applications, introducing native support for XML data in relational databases brings significant benefits. It provides a more mature platform for the XML data model and serves as the basis for interoperability between relational and XML data. Whereas query processing on XML data shredded into one or more relational tables is well understood, it provides limited support for the XML data model. XML data can be persisted as a byte sequence (BLOB) in columns of tables to support the XML model more faithfully. This introduces new challenges for query processing such as the ability to index the XML blob for good query performance.

This talk includes novel techniques for indexing XML data in the upcoming version of Microsoft SQL Server, and how it ties into the relational framework for query processing.

This session will cover:

• Background on XML support in Microsoft SQL Server 2005
• Indexing XML data
• Primary XML indexes
• Secondary XML indexes
• Storage, algebrization, and optimization of XML Index.

About Gideon
Gideon has been at Microsoft for 9 years. He joined Microsoft in 1995 after working for several years at Borland Intl on Paradox for DOS. He worked for a few years on the display engine for IE4 and IE5, and then moved to join the initial team that started WebData.
In WebData Gideon lead the development team that introduced the XML support to SQL 2000. Later in Yukon with two other developers he moved to the engine to start the XMLDB initiative (introducing a new XML Data type into server). Currently Gideon and his team lead, as part of the Engine Execution team, owns ES (Expression Services) SQLCLR and XML Runtime in Yukon.

LookOut! for Outlook - Enforce Email Rules

Manage email with SSW LookOut! for Outlook. Email is a fundamental corporate communications tool used every day to manage staff, establish contacts and communicate with clients. Use SSW LookOut! to organise and manage your email and help ensure email is always an advantage to your business and not a liability! With tons of rules and auditing checks, SSW LookOut! also notifies the user whether emails are from people within their corporate Access or SQL Server database. More on SSW LookOut!

Now that I've been using it for a little while, I don't think I can put it away - it's just too darn useful and makes too much sense to just stop using it. And that, my friends, is the first sign of really good software.

- Greg Hughes , Greg Hughes