Are the posted questions getting worse?

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Are the posted questions getting worse?

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ChrisM@Work SSC Guru Points: 186127 More actions · Answer 1

djj (6/25/2014)
Just saw a post (on another site) that the person had part of a query list but no quest was asked. Someone posted "What is your question?" and the post back "It's in my original post." It was not.

That happens here too. And developers are always whingeing that the specs they are given don't contain sufficient information to complete the task. Gaaah!

^{“Write the query the simplest way. If through testing it becomes clear that the performance is inadequate, consider alternative query forms.” - Gail Shaw}

For fast, accurate and documented assistance in answering your questions, please read this article.
Understanding and using APPLY, (I) and (II) Paul White
Hidden RBAR: Triangular Joins / The "Numbers" or "Tally" Table: What it is and how it replaces a loop Jeff Moden

Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259115 More actions · Answer 2

djj (6/25/2014)
Just saw a post (on another site) that the person had part of a query list but no quest was asked. Someone posted "What is your question?" and the post back "It's in my original post." It was not.

Sounds familiar.

A while back I encountered one of these "questions":

"Hi, I want to do X. Here is a query that I have written."

So we just have to guess what the problem is apparently.

Sometimes they add "It doesn't work".

What doesn't work??? Does the query give an error? Or does it return results that are not expected? Did your computer implode? Did the query become consciousness-aware and it tried to take over the world? What happened???

*rant off*

Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259115 More actions · Answer 3

ChrisM@Work (6/25/2014)
djj (6/25/2014)
Just saw a post (on another site) that the person had part of a query list but no quest was asked. Someone posted "What is your question?" and the post back "It's in my original post." It was not.
That happens here too. And developers are always whingeing that the specs they are given don't contain sufficient information to complete the task. Gaaah!

Right.

Or when you propose a solution and they go like "Aaaah yes. But actually in my real-life scenario I need to do it like this..."

Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

djj SSCoach Points: 18831 More actions · Answer 4

Koen Verbeeck (6/25/2014)
ChrisM@Work (6/25/2014)
djj (6/25/2014)
Just saw a post (on another site) that the person had part of a query list but no quest was asked. Someone posted "What is your question?" and the post back "It's in my original post." It was not.
That happens here too. And developers are always whingeing that the specs they are given don't contain sufficient information to complete the task. Gaaah!
Right.
Or when you propose a solution and they go like "Aaaah yes. But actually in my real-life scenario I need to do it like this..."

I had forgotten about that one:-D

Ed Wagner SSC Guru Points: 287026 More actions · Answer 5

djj (6/25/2014)
Koen Verbeeck (6/25/2014)
ChrisM@Work (6/25/2014)
djj (6/25/2014)
Just saw a post (on another site) that the person had part of a query list but no quest was asked. Someone posted "What is your question?" and the post back "It's in my original post." It was not.
That happens here too. And developers are always whingeing that the specs they are given don't contain sufficient information to complete the task. Gaaah!
Right.
Or when you propose a solution and they go like "Aaaah yes. But actually in my real-life scenario I need to do it like this..."
I had forgotten about that one:-D

There are many ways people can post questions poorly. They can omit the question, omit the DDL and data, say that they have a problem but can't post it because it's sensitive, or simply post a query with no other explanation. They can do one or more of the above. They can then get snippy when asked for more information or talk like you're a complete moron because you don't understand the question they didn't ask.

You know, the quality of the question directly impacts the quality of the answer. Except for Lynn, who somehow manages to take a shot in the dark and somehow hit the nail right on the head.

Tally Tables - Performance Personified
String Splitting with True Performance
Best practices on how to ask questions

SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 6

Koen Verbeeck (6/25/2014)
ChrisM@Work (6/25/2014)
djj (6/25/2014)
Just saw a post (on another site) that the person had part of a query list but no quest was asked. Someone posted "What is your question?" and the post back "It's in my original post." It was not.
That happens here too. And developers are always whingeing that the specs they are given don't contain sufficient information to complete the task. Gaaah!
Right.
Or when you propose a solution and they go like "Aaaah yes. But actually in my real-life scenario I need to do it like this..."

That's why we pass the crystal ball around. But it seems somebody has been hogging it of late.:hehe:

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

Sean Lange SSC Guru Points: 286590 More actions · Answer 7

SQLRNNR (6/25/2014)
Koen Verbeeck (6/25/2014)
ChrisM@Work (6/25/2014)
djj (6/25/2014)
Just saw a post (on another site) that the person had part of a query list but no quest was asked. Someone posted "What is your question?" and the post back "It's in my original post." It was not.
That happens here too. And developers are always whingeing that the specs they are given don't contain sufficient information to complete the task. Gaaah!
Right.
Or when you propose a solution and they go like "Aaaah yes. But actually in my real-life scenario I need to do it like this..."
That's why we pass the crystal ball around. But it seems somebody has been hogging it of late.:hehe:

I am long overdue for my turn. It has been so long since I had the crystal ball that I am having a hard time seeing answers when they provide more than half of the required information. 😉

_______________________________________________________________

Need help? Help us help you.

Read the article at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/ for best practices on asking questions.

Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.

Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/

Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259115 More actions · Answer 8

SQLRNNR (6/25/2014)
Koen Verbeeck (6/25/2014)
ChrisM@Work (6/25/2014)
djj (6/25/2014)
Just saw a post (on another site) that the person had part of a query list but no quest was asked. Someone posted "What is your question?" and the post back "It's in my original post." It was not.
That happens here too. And developers are always whingeing that the specs they are given don't contain sufficient information to complete the task. Gaaah!
Right.
Or when you propose a solution and they go like "Aaaah yes. But actually in my real-life scenario I need to do it like this..."
That's why we pass the crystal ball around. But it seems somebody has been hogging it of late.:hehe:

Yeah sorry, I dropped it. It's in the shop for repairs.

Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 9

Koen Verbeeck (6/25/2014)
SQLRNNR (6/25/2014)
Koen Verbeeck (6/25/2014)
ChrisM@Work (6/25/2014)
djj (6/25/2014)
Just saw a post (on another site) that the person had part of a query list but no quest was asked. Someone posted "What is your question?" and the post back "It's in my original post." It was not.
That happens here too. And developers are always whingeing that the specs they are given don't contain sufficient information to complete the task. Gaaah!
Right.
Or when you propose a solution and they go like "Aaaah yes. But actually in my real-life scenario I need to do it like this..."
That's why we pass the crystal ball around. But it seems somebody has been hogging it of late.:hehe:
Yeah sorry, I dropped it. It's in the shop for repairs.

Likely story. Now we know how you are able to zip through the forums so fast.

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

Ed Wagner SSC Guru Points: 287026 More actions · Answer 10

SQLRNNR (6/25/2014)
Koen Verbeeck (6/25/2014)
SQLRNNR (6/25/2014)
Koen Verbeeck (6/25/2014)
ChrisM@Work (6/25/2014)
djj (6/25/2014)
Just saw a post (on another site) that the person had part of a query list but no quest was asked. Someone posted "What is your question?" and the post back "It's in my original post." It was not.
That happens here too. And developers are always whingeing that the specs they are given don't contain sufficient information to complete the task. Gaaah!
Right.
Or when you propose a solution and they go like "Aaaah yes. But actually in my real-life scenario I need to do it like this..."
That's why we pass the crystal ball around. But it seems somebody has been hogging it of late.:hehe:
Yeah sorry, I dropped it. It's in the shop for repairs.
Likely story. Now we know how you are able to zip through the forums so fast.

Yeah, really. When it gets out of the shop, I'd like to be added to the rotation. I'll even volunteer do the testing to make sure it still works well.

Tally Tables - Performance Personified
String Splitting with True Performance
Best practices on how to ask questions

Sioban Krzywicki One Orange Chip Points: 27770 More actions · Answer 11

djj (6/25/2014)
Just saw a post (on another site) that the person had part of a query list but no quest was asked. Someone posted "What is your question?" and the post back "It's in my original post." It was not.

It'd be great if someone posted a query with no question and when asked "What's your question?" the reply was "Oh, no question, I'm just proud of this one."

--------------------------------------
When you encounter a problem, if the solution isn't readily evident go back to the start and check your assumptions.
--------------------------------------
It’s unpleasantly like being drunk.
What’s so unpleasant about being drunk?
You ask a glass of water. -- Douglas Adams

rodjkidd SSCoach Points: 15916 More actions · Answer 12

Lynn doesn't need the crystal ball, the Hippo in the tent helps 😀

Rodders...

Lynn Pettis SSC Guru Points: 442467 More actions · Answer 13

Ed Wagner (6/25/2014)
djj (6/25/2014)
Koen Verbeeck (6/25/2014)
ChrisM@Work (6/25/2014)
djj (6/25/2014)
Just saw a post (on another site) that the person had part of a query list but no quest was asked. Someone posted "What is your question?" and the post back "It's in my original post." It was not.
That happens here too. And developers are always whingeing that the specs they are given don't contain sufficient information to complete the task. Gaaah!
Right.
Or when you propose a solution and they go like "Aaaah yes. But actually in my real-life scenario I need to do it like this..."
I had forgotten about that one:-D
There are many ways people can post questions poorly. They can omit the question, omit the DDL and data, say that they have a problem but can't post it because it's sensitive, or simply post a query with no other explanation. They can do one or more of the above. They can then get snippy when asked for more information or talk like you're a complete moron because you don't understand the question they didn't ask.
You know, the quality of the question directly impacts the quality of the answer. Except for Lynn, who somehow manages to take a shot in the dark and somehow hit the nail right on the head.

I had to laugh. Yes, sometimes I get lucky and I have seen a few others do it as well.

Lynn Pettis SSC Guru Points: 442467 More actions · Answer 14

Okay, stepped away from a problem for a while. Looked at it again today and saw a problem with a running total issue. A simple fix to code from the OP and everything worked.

But it seemed like an apples and oranges thing when he posted a screen shot of the "problem" as the screen shot came no where close to the sample data that the OP was posted,

And yet, it seemed to solve his problem. Next we will probably here from him that it is slow, but then what do you expect when it has a triangular join in it.

Oh well, onward we go.

TomThomson SSC Guru Points: 104773 More actions · Answer 15

Eirikur Eiriksson (6/25/2014)
TomThomson (6/24/2014)
Luis Cazares (6/24/2014)
On a completely different subject, I'm taking 20467BC course this week and found some surprises like using while loops to create sample data, recommendations to use partitioning for performance and nolock hints on every view in the data warehouse to prevent concurrency issues. :w00t:
Are they serious? Should I unlearn something?
If the data warehouse is being queried while it's static - ie not while data is being added to the tables being queried - it's appropriate to use SET TRANSACTION ISOLATION LEVEL READ UNCOMITTED. Only if there are some tables which are effectively static and others that are not is it appropriate to use nolock hints. Of course if the error caused by dirty reads on some tables is harmless you can count those tables as static even if they aren't.
And when the cube processing fails, where are you going to find the (harmless) error?
😎

If it causes a failure, it isn't harmless. In fact if you don't have a rigorous formal proof that any error caused by the data changing is contained by the system so that there is no unacceptable reult you can't say that all such errors are harmless, so you can't legitimately treat the data as static, so you can't use a nolock hint against it. And such proofs should be referenced in comments in the code.

Given the non-availability of a "rigorous formal proof required" emoticon (aka a sarcasm emoticon) that I could have placed after the word "harmless" I just asumed people would assume that the word meant "harmless" rather than "thought or guessed to be harmless or decreed by managerial desire with regard to the facts to be treated as harmless".

My real point was that using READ UNCOMITTED isolation level is to be preferred to NOLOCK hints, because it makes it clearer what is happening. There's nothing wrong with using NOLOCK on data which is known to be immutable, though, except where READ UNCOMMITTED is appropriate. And there's nothing wrong with using NOLOCK hints against mutable data where it is provably safe to do so.

Tom