SQL 2005- Online Indexing

In SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition we can create an index with option ONLINE, this option states whether the underlying tables and indexes will be available for queries and data modification while indexing operations are taking place. we can define its settings to OFF or ON:

while OFF Table locks are applied for the duration of the index operation. Clustered index operations acquires a schema lock, which prevents all user access to the underlying table for the duration of the index operation. Nonclustered operations acquire a shared lock on the table that allows for read operations but prevents data modification.

While ON Table locks are not held for the duration of the index operation. SQL Server will first acquire an intent share lock, which allows queries and data modifications. Then SQL Server acquires a shared lock at the start of the index operation and quickly releases it. If a nonclustered index is being created, SQL Server will acquire a shared lock again at the end of the operation. If a clustered index is being created or dropped, or a nonclustered index is being rebuilt, SQL Server acquires a schema modification lock at the end of the operation. ONLINE can’t be set to ON for indexes created on local temporary tables (tables whose names start with the # character).

Silver Light - Microsoft Implementation of RIA

My previous blog was about Google Gear- RIA (Rich Interactive Application) implementation from Google. Silverlight is Microsoft RIA implementation. According to Microsoft "Silverlight™ is a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering the next generation of .NET based media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web. Silverlight offers a flexible programming model that supports AJAX, VB, C#, Python, and Ruby, and integrates with existing Web applications. Silverlight supports fast, cost-effective delivery of high-quality video to all major browsers running on the Mac OS or Windows."

"Silverlight will enable higher quality and better applications in the browser," says Microsoft director of product management Forest Key. "Silverlight is a factored version of .NET that is optimized for the Web and simple deployment. It carries with it proven technology, access to a variety of languages for development, such as JavaScript, VB, C#, Ruby and Python, WPF [Windows Presentation Foundation] support for controls and code-reuse, AJAX integration, and more. We are providing a highly integrated set of tools that facilitate new levels of collaboration between designers and developers and allows them to build amazing experiences while addressing the 'lost in translation' issue that is so common at most organizations."

Silverlight is also trying to eliminate various Flash deficiencies by offering much higher quality video. Microsoft says that Silverlight supports up to 720p video--1280 x 720 resolution much higher then Flash. And unlike Flash, Silverlight won't require any expensive back-end servers for companies wishing to rollout the technology also Silverlight supports all major Web browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, and even Apple Safari, which runs only on the Mac.

Silverlight uses vector graphics for higher quality, Microsoft says, and can be used to display text, graphics, video, and video with text and graphic overlays. It will work with existing Web technologies such as Apache, PHP, JavaScript, and XHTML. Microsoft is also creating various Expression tools for creating and deploying Silverlight content, though these will be Windows-only.

Currently not enough documentation is present on SilverLight but there are some white papers present on Microsoft site discussing architecture and overview of SilverLight. Also there are number of videos present on Microsoft site featuring silver light implementation by different clients for different solutions.

Following are some useful links;

Silverlight Architecture: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb428859.aspx
Silverlight Site: http://silverlight.net/
Silverlight Demo: http://ds.pilot.serving-sys.com/BurstingRes/WPFE/msn_tech.html
BBC Radio Demo: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/7/2/f72cff89-5769-4bd1-ab7d-f4333adbef16/BBC_mix.wmv

Google in Microsoft Boundaries- Google Gear

Microsoft the ultimate and undisputed king of Desktop world is enjoying its dream spell for the past 10 years; on the other hand Google the "Innovator" is continuously releasing Internet centric software, based on fresh ideas and user demands such as Google Map, Google Desktop, Google Blogger, and lots of other Googlies. So far both empires have their boundaries defined and emperors were playing within it. Google Desktop search was the first attempt of Google penetration in Microsoft boundary which was not successful as it was countered by more powerful Microsoft Desktop search. Now Google is ready for a new attempt with its new weapon named as Google Gear! So what is Google Gear? A free, open-source multi-platform JavaScript application programming interface (API) that lets Web applications work offline. Below are the words from Google Representative

"With Google Gears, we're tackling a key limitation of the browser in order to make it a stronger platform for deploying all types of applications and enabling a better user experience in the cloud," said Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, in a statement. "We believe strongly in the power of the community to stretch this new technology to the limits of what's possible and ultimately emerge with an open standard that benefits everyone."

Google hopes Gears will become the standard for adding offline capabilities such as data storage, application caching, and multithreading to online applications.

David Mitchell Smith, Gartner web analyst, said that "The idea of taking Web applications offline is big," he said. While Google Gears can be viewed as a competitive move against Microsoft, he said that's not the only valid frame of reference.

Google Gears is also a threat for rich Internet applications. "Rich clients become less compelling the more the Web applications continue to grow," said Smith from Google. "Ajax has certainly taken a bite out of the opportunities that RIA developers thought they had."

Following are three Key features of Google Gear;

1. A local server, to cache and serve application resources (HTML, JavaScript, images, etc.) without needing to contact a server.
2. A database, to store and access data from within the browser.
3. A worker thread pool, to make web applications more responsive by performing expensive operations in the background

Google Gear is currently compatible with following set of browsers;

• Apple Mac OS X (10.2 or higher) o Firefox 1.5 or higher
• Linux o Firefox 1.5 or higher
• Microsoft Windows (XP or higher) o Firefox 1.5 or higher o Internet Explorer 6 or higher

Following are some useful links related to Google Gear

Google Gear: http://gears.google.com/
Sample Tutorial: http://code.google.com/apis/gears/tutorial.html
Sample Applications: http://code.google.com/apis/gears/sample.html

WSS 3.0 Application Templates

You can download WSS 3.0 Application templates for creating scenario sepecific sites and solutions.

Some of these templates have to be deployed on Site level and some at server level targeting different scenarios.

Following are thier lists;

Site Admin Templates Board of Directors Business Performance Reporting Case Management for Government Agencies Classroom Management Clinical Trial Initiation and Management Competitive Analysis Site Discussion Database Disputed Invoice Management Employee Activities Site Employee Self-Service Benefits Employee Training Scheduling and Materials Equity Research Integrated Marketing Campaign Tracking Manufacturing Process Management New Store Opening Product and Marketing Requirements Planning Request for Proposal Sports League Team Work Site Timecard Management

Server Admin Templates Absence Request and Vacation Schedule Management Budgeting and Tracking Multiple Projects Bug Database Call Center Change Request Management Compliance Process Support Site Contacts Management Document Library and Review Event Planning Expense Reimbursement and Approval Help Desk Inventory Tracking IT Team Workspace Job Requisition and Interview Management Knowledge Base Lending Library Physical Asset Tracking and Management Project Tracking Workspace Room and Equipment Reservations Sales Lead Pipeline

There are currently 40 templates available. Following is the reference site; http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsserver/sharepoint/wssapps/templates/default.mspx

SQL 2008

SQL 2008 CTP has been released, following is the link; http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/futureversion/default.mspx I will be posting further information on it in my coming blogs.