Are the posted questions getting worse?

  • Lynn Pettis (4/12/2012)


    Sean Lange (4/12/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/12/2012)


    What would happen here on SSC if the TOP 25 posters did nothing but lurk for 24 hours?

    Then there would be several of the rest of us who would suddenly have to try to handle a lot more posts. Being 37th overall and 36th on forums I guess I don't get to lurk. I want my chance too!!! :w00t:

    If you want to join the Lurker for a Day group, please do. We just need to schedule and advertise it. No wait, if we advertise it we won't get the effect we are after.

    Great idea for a novel: "Atlas Lurked"

    __________________________________________________

    Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain. -- Friedrich Schiller
    Stop, children, what's that sound? Everybody look what's going down. -- Stephen Stills

  • Koen Verbeeck (4/12/2012)


    GilaMonster (4/12/2012)


    I'm getting very frustrated (and very saddened) by the (apparently) increasing number of people who seem to feel that writing T-SQL is about throwing code segments together at random apparently believing that some odd combination of clauses will work and not checking in the documentation to see what the syntax permits when their random combination of fragments of multiple commands doesn't work.

    Am I alone here?

    Not only TSQL, but SSIS gets it's fair share.

    Today I had to explain someone how to create a precedence constraint. You know, click on a box and drag the arrow to another box.

    So which one is that; the red, green or blue arrow?

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
    _______________________________________________
    I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
    SQL RNNR
    Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
    Learn Extended Events

  • SQLRNNR (4/12/2012)


    Koen Verbeeck (4/12/2012)


    GilaMonster (4/12/2012)


    I'm getting very frustrated (and very saddened) by the (apparently) increasing number of people who seem to feel that writing T-SQL is about throwing code segments together at random apparently believing that some odd combination of clauses will work and not checking in the documentation to see what the syntax permits when their random combination of fragments of multiple commands doesn't work.

    Am I alone here?

    Not only TSQL, but SSIS gets it's fair share.

    Today I had to explain someone how to create a precedence constraint. You know, click on a box and drag the arrow to another box.

    So which one is that; the red, green or blue arrow?

    You just flunked my interview question. 😉

  • Revenant (4/12/2012)


    SQLRNNR (4/12/2012)


    Koen Verbeeck (4/12/2012)


    GilaMonster (4/12/2012)


    I'm getting very frustrated (and very saddened) by the (apparently) increasing number of people who seem to feel that writing T-SQL is about throwing code segments together at random apparently believing that some odd combination of clauses will work and not checking in the documentation to see what the syntax permits when their random combination of fragments of multiple commands doesn't work.

    Am I alone here?

    Not only TSQL, but SSIS gets it's fair share.

    Today I had to explain someone how to create a precedence constraint. You know, click on a box and drag the arrow to another box.

    So which one is that; the red, green or blue arrow?

    You just flunked my interview question. 😉

    is the answer purple? or 42? or am i answering the wrong question


    For faster help in answering any problems Please read How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help - Jeff Moden[/url] for the best way to ask your question.

    For performance Issues see how we like them posted here: How to Post Performance Problems - Gail Shaw[/url]

    Need to Split some strings? Jeff Moden's DelimitedSplit8K[/url]
    Jeff Moden's Cross tab and Pivots Part 1[/url]
    Jeff Moden's Cross tab and Pivots Part 2[/url]

  • capn.hector (4/12/2012)


    Revenant (4/12/2012)


    SQLRNNR (4/12/2012)


    Koen Verbeeck (4/12/2012)


    GilaMonster (4/12/2012)


    I'm getting very frustrated (and very saddened) by the (apparently) increasing number of people who seem to feel that writing T-SQL is about throwing code segments together at random apparently believing that some odd combination of clauses will work and not checking in the documentation to see what the syntax permits when their random combination of fragments of multiple commands doesn't work.

    Am I alone here?

    Not only TSQL, but SSIS gets it's fair share.

    Today I had to explain someone how to create a precedence constraint. You know, click on a box and drag the arrow to another box.

    So which one is that; the red, green or blue arrow?

    You just flunked my interview question. 😉

    is the answer purple? or 42? or am i answering the wrong question

    you have to put each task in a sequence container, create a variable with the value of the iteration, then write a script task to modify and pass the value to the container and only execute if the value is one more than the previous value.

    Did I get it right?

    ---------------------------------------------------------
    How best to post your question[/url]
    How to post performance problems[/url]
    Tally Table:What it is and how it replaces a loop[/url]

    "stewsterl 80804 (10/16/2009)I guess when you stop and try to understand the solution provided you not only learn, but save yourself some headaches when you need to make any slight changes."

  • GSquared (4/12/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/12/2012)


    What would happen here on SSC if the TOP 25 posters did nothing but lurk for 24 hours?

    I'm in the top 25 (usually in the top 10), and I'm not sure what you mean. I lurk on here all the time. Last time, my lurking lasted almost 10 minutes! (Personal record! Break out the champagne! Then figure out something to do with it, since I don't drink.)

    You don't drink? How do you hydrate? Osmosis, or IV?

    ---------------------------------------------------------
    How best to post your question[/url]
    How to post performance problems[/url]
    Tally Table:What it is and how it replaces a loop[/url]

    "stewsterl 80804 (10/16/2009)I guess when you stop and try to understand the solution provided you not only learn, but save yourself some headaches when you need to make any slight changes."

  • Can a sysadmin help out here (regular questioner) http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1282732-1550-1.aspx

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • jcrawf02 (4/12/2012)


    GSquared (4/12/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/12/2012)


    What would happen here on SSC if the TOP 25 posters did nothing but lurk for 24 hours?

    I'm in the top 25 (usually in the top 10), and I'm not sure what you mean. I lurk on here all the time. Last time, my lurking lasted almost 10 minutes! (Personal record! Break out the champagne! Then figure out something to do with it, since I don't drink.)

    You don't drink? How do you hydrate? Osmosis, or IV?

    IV

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
    _______________________________________________
    I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
    SQL RNNR
    Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
    Learn Extended Events

  • jcrawf02 (4/12/2012)


    capn.hector (4/12/2012)


    Revenant (4/12/2012)


    SQLRNNR (4/12/2012)


    Koen Verbeeck (4/12/2012)


    GilaMonster (4/12/2012)


    I'm getting very frustrated (and very saddened) by the (apparently) increasing number of people who seem to feel that writing T-SQL is about throwing code segments together at random apparently believing that some odd combination of clauses will work and not checking in the documentation to see what the syntax permits when their random combination of fragments of multiple commands doesn't work.

    Am I alone here?

    Not only TSQL, but SSIS gets it's fair share.

    Today I had to explain someone how to create a precedence constraint. You know, click on a box and drag the arrow to another box.

    So which one is that; the red, green or blue arrow?

    You just flunked my interview question. 😉

    is the answer purple? or 42? or am i answering the wrong question

    you have to put each task in a sequence container, create a variable with the value of the iteration, then write a script task to modify and pass the value to the container and only execute if the value is one more than the previous value.

    Did I get it right?

    Yes, you did.

  • So I'm using Display Estimated Execution Plan for the first time in SQL 2008 and fun, fun, it displays "missing indexes" across the top.

    Then I find an index suggestion where the INCLUDE part of the CREATE INDEX statement lists over half the columns from the table in question.

    <headdesk>

    Really? I thought including every freaking column was A Bad Thing. Why does SQL think otherwise?

    (Note: This is a rant, and only a rant. Do not treat this a real technical question. Unless you want to, and you promise there will be no pork chop launcher punishments involved.)

    Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

  • Same reason the missing index DMVs see fit to recommend multiple duplicates and indexes including the entire table. They're solely about 'what's the absolute best index for this query'

    Also, so as to give all the SQL consultants lots of additional income.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Grant Fritchey (4/12/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/12/2012)


    What would happen here on SSC if the TOP 25 posters did nothing but lurk for 24 hours?

    Not much. There'd just be a few more unchallenged suggestions that someone either shrink their database or use the NO_LOCK hint.

    Plus unchallenged recommendations to use a cursor when a one-liner without cursor works fine.

    Tom

  • jcrawf02 (4/12/2012)


    GSquared (4/12/2012)


    Lynn Pettis (4/12/2012)


    What would happen here on SSC if the TOP 25 posters did nothing but lurk for 24 hours?

    I'm in the top 25 (usually in the top 10), and I'm not sure what you mean. I lurk on here all the time. Last time, my lurking lasted almost 10 minutes! (Personal record! Break out the champagne! Then figure out something to do with it, since I don't drink.)

    You don't drink? How do you hydrate? Osmosis, or IV?

    I live in Florida. I've learned to absorb the humidity through my lungs into my bloodstream. It's more convenient that way.

    - Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
    Property of The Thread

    "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon

  • GilaMonster (4/12/2012)


    I'm getting very frustrated (and very saddened) by the (apparently) increasing number of people who seem to feel that writing T-SQL is about throwing code segments together at random apparently believing that some odd combination of clauses will work and not checking in the documentation to see what the syntax permits when their random combination of fragments of multiple commands doesn't work.

    Am I alone here?

    Maybe you are the only one who thinks "(apparently)" is appropriate in the above? Perhaps you are alone (or almost) in being so optimistic?

    The trouble is that the more people who "learn SQL" (or worse, "become expert on SQL") without working hard and seriously at it and ensuring that they understand what it's all about and why it's a different kind of language from Basic or C++ the more people will try to get things working by hanging all sorts of random bits of syntax together. If the proportion of people learning SQL who take the trouble to do it properly is pretty stable, the number of junk-SQL writers will be going up as the number of people doing SQL increases. In practice proportion of the population which gets involved with SQL is going up and the "I want the world but I don't wanna work for it" attitude is being displayed by a higher proportion of the population every year, so the proportion of learners who are willing and able to put the required effort in is not stable, it is going down, and so the number of junk-SQL writers is going up proportionately quite a bit faster than the overall SQL-writer count.

    Or am I too pessimistic?

    Tom

  • GilaMonster (4/12/2012)


    Steve Jones - SSC Editor (4/12/2012)


    Today is a day I am tempted to throw one of them off the roof.

    Photos of the aftermath are required. :hehe:

    Ideally a video of printer reaching ground :w00t:

    Tom

Viewing 15 posts - 35,416 through 35,430 (of 66,712 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply