Andy Leonard

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About Andy Leonard

Andy Leonard is a Chief Data Engineer at Enterprise Data & Analytics, a Biml (Business Intelligence Markup Language) developer and BimlHero, SSIS architect, consultant, and trainer. He created and maintains the DILM (Data Integration Lifecycle Management) Suite that includes tools and utilities for managing SSIS in the enterprise. Andy is an avid blogger and has co-authored several books on SSIS, ETL, and database technology.

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SQL Server MVP Deep Dives Oct 31, 2009

by Paul S. Randal, Kimberly Tripp, Adam Machanic, Paul Nielsen

( 24 )

$45.99

This is not an ordinary SQL Server Book. SQL Server MVP Deep Dives brings together the world's most highly-regarded SQL Server experts to create a masterful collection of tips, techniques, and experience-driven best practices for SQL Server development and administration. These SQL Server MVPs-53 in all-each selected a topic of great interest to them, and in this unique book, they share their knowledge and passion with you.

SQL Server MVP Deep Dives is organized into five parts: Design and Architecture, Development, Administration, Performance Tuning and Optimization, and Business Intelligence. Within each part, you'll find a collection of brilliantly concise and focused chapters that take on key topics like mobile data strategies, Dynamic Management Views, or query performance. The range of subjects covered is comprehensive, from database design tips to data profiling strategies for BI.

Additionally, the authors of this book have generously donated 100% of their royalties to support War Child International. War Child International is a network of independent organizations, working across the world to help children affected by war. War Child was founded upon a fundamental goal: to advance the cause of peace through investing hope in the lives of children caught up in the horrors of war. War Child works in many different conflict areas around the world, helping hundreds of thousands of children every year. Visit www.warchild.org for more information.

Purchase of the print book comes with an offer of a free PDF, ePub, and Kindle eBook from Manning. Also available is all code from the book.

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SQL Server Data Automation Through Frameworks: Building Metadata-Driven Frameworks with T-SQL, SSIS, and Azure Data Factory Oct 17, 2020

by Andy Leonard, Kent Bradshaw

( 8 )

$34.99

Learn to automate SQL Server operations using frameworks built from metadata-driven stored procedures and SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS). Bring all the power of Transact-SQL (T-SQL) and Microsoft .NET to bear on your repetitive data, data integration, and ETL processes. Do this for no added cost over what you’ve already spent on licensing SQL Server. The tools and methods from this book may be applied to on-premises and Azure SQL Server instances. The SSIS framework from this book works in Azure Data Factory (ADF) and provides DevOps personnel the ability to execute child packages outside a project—functionality not natively available in SSIS.
Frameworks not only reduce the time required to deliver enterprise functionality, but can also accelerate troubleshooting and problem resolution. You'll learn in this book how frameworks also improve code quality by using metadata to drive processes. Much of the work performed by data professionals can be classified as “drudge work”—tasks that are repetitive and template-based. The frameworks-based approach shown in this book helps you to avoid that drudgery by turning repetitive tasks into "one and done" operations. Frameworks as described in this book also support enterprise DevOps with built-in logging functionality.

What You Will Learn

Create a stored procedure framework to automate SQL process execution
Base your framework on a working system of stored procedures and execution logging
Create an SSIS framework to reduce the complexity of executing multiple SSIS packages
Deploy stored procedure and SSIS frameworks to Azure Data Factory environments in the cloud

Who This Book Is For
Database administrators and developers who are involved in enterprise data projects built around stored procedures and SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS). Readers should have a background in programming along with a desire to optimize their data efforts by implementing repeatable processes that support enterprise DevOps.

Other Formats: Paperback

Building Custom Tasks for SQL Server Integration Services: The Power of .NET for ETL for SQL Server 2019 and Beyond Feb 17, 2021

by Andy Leonard

( 6 )

$31.49

Build custom SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) tasks using Visual Studio Community Edition and C#. Bring all the power of Microsoft .NET to bear on your data integration and ETL processes, and for no added cost over what you’ve already spent on licensing SQL Server. New in this edition is a demonstration deploying a custom SSIS task to the Azure Data Factory (ADF) Azure-SSIS Integration Runtime (IR).

All examples in this new edition are implemented in C#. Custom task developers are shown how to implement custom tasks using the widely accepted and default language for .NET development.

Why are custom components necessary? Because even though the SSIS catalog of built-in tasks and components is a marvel of engineering, gaps remain in the available functionality. One such gap is a constraint of the built-in SSIS Execute Package Task, which does not allow SSIS developers to select SSIS packages from other projects in the SSIS Catalog. Examples in this book show how to create a custom Execute Catalog Package task that allows SSIS developers to execute tasks from other projects in the SSIS Catalog. Building on the examples and patterns in this book, SSIS developers may create any task to which they aspire, custom tailored to their specific data integration and ETL needs.

What You Will Learn

Configure and execute Visual Studio in the way that best supports SSIS task development
Create a class library as the basis for an SSIS task, and reference the needed SSIS assemblies
Properly sign assemblies that you create in order to invoke them from your task
Implement source code control via Azure DevOps, or your own favorite tool set
Troubleshoot and execute custom tasks as part of your own projects
Create deployment projects (MSIs) for distributing code-complete tasks
Deploy custom tasks to Azure Data Factory Azure-SSIS IRs in the cloud
Create advanced editors for custom task parameters

Who This Book Is For
For database administrators and developers who are involved in ETL projects built around SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS). Readers do not need a background in software development with C#. Most important is a desire to optimize ETL efforts by creating custom-tailored tasks for execution in SSIS packages, on-premises or in ADF Azure-SSIS IRs.

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SQL Server MVP Deep Dives, Volume 2 Oct 12, 2011

by Paul S. Randal, Kimberly Tripp, Paul Nielsen, Kalen Delaney, Louis Davidson, Greg Low, Brad McGhee, Paul Nielson, Paul Randal

( 9 )

$45.99

Summary
SQL Server MVP Deep Dives, Volume 2 is a unique book that lets you learn from the best in the business - 64 SQL Server MVPs offer completely new content in this second volume on topics ranging from testing and policy management to integration services, reporting, and performance optimization techniques...and more.

About this Book
To become an MVP requires deep knowledge and impressive skill. Together, the 64 MVPs who wrote this book bring about 1,000 years of experience in SQL Server administration, development, training, and design. This incredible book captures their expertise and passion in 60 concise, hand-picked chapters and offers valuable insights for readers of all levels.

SQL Server MVP Deep Dives, Volume 2 picks up where the first volume leaves off, with completely new content on topics ranging from testing and policy management to integration services, reporting, and performance optimization. The chapters fall into five parts: Architecture and Design, Database Administration, Database Development, Performance Tuning and Optimization, and Business Intelligence.

Purchase of the print book comes with an offer of a free PDF, ePub, and Kindle eBook from Manning. Also available is all code from the book.

What's Inside

    Discovering servers with PowerShell
    Using regular expressions in SSMS
    Tuning the Transaction Log for OLTP
    Optimizing SSIS for dimensional data
    Real-time BI and much more

Manning Publications and the authors of this book support the children of Operation Smile, an international children's medical charity that performs free reconstructive surgery for children suffering from facial deformities such as cleft lips and cleft palates by mobilizing medical volunteers who provide education and training programs to local doctors on the latest surgical techniques.

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Table of Contents

PART 1 ARCHITECTURE Edited by Louis Davidson

PART 2 DATABASE ADMINISTRATION Edited by Paul Randal and Kimberly Tripp

PART 3 DATABASE DEVELOPMENT Edited by Paul Nielsen

PART 4 PERFORMANCE TUNING AND OPTIMIZATION Edited by Brad M. McGehee

PART 5 BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE Edited by Greg Low

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The Biml Book: Business Intelligence and Data Warehouse Automation Oct 30, 2017

by Andy Leonard, Scott Currie, Jacob Alley, Martin Andersson, Peter Avenant, Bill Fellows, Simon Peck, Reeves Smith, Raymond Sondak, Benjamin Weissman, Cathrine Wilhelmsen

( 13 )

$74.99

Learn Business Intelligence Markup Language (Biml) for automating much of the repetitive, manual labor involved in data integration. We teach you how to build frameworks and use advanced Biml features to get more out of SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), Transact-SQL (T-SQL), and SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) than you ever thought possible.
The first part of the book starts with the basics—getting your development environment configured, Biml syntax, and scripting essentials.
Whether a beginner or a seasoned Biml expert, the next part of the book guides you through the process of using Biml to build a framework that captures both your design patterns and execution management. Design patterns are reusable code blocks that standardize the approach you use to perform certain types of data integration, logging, and other key data functions. Design patterns solve common problems encountered when developing data integration solutions. Because you do not have to build the code from scratch each time, design patterns improve your efficiency as a Biml developer.
In addition to leveraging design patterns in your framework, you will learn how to build a robust metadata store and how to package your framework into Biml bundles for deployment within your enterprise.
In the last part of the book, we teach you more advanced Biml features and capabilities, such as SSAS development, T-SQL recipes, documentation autogeneration, and Biml troubleshooting.
The Biml Book:

Provides practical and applicable examples
Teaches you how to use Biml to reduce development time while improving quality
Takes you through solutions to common data integration and BI challenges

What You'll Learn

Master the basics of Business Intelligence Markup Language (Biml)
Study patterns for automating SSIS package generation
Build a Biml Framework
Import and transform database schemas
Automate generation of scripts and projects

Who This Book Is For
BI developers wishing to quickly locate previously tested solutions, Microsoft BI specialists, those seeking more information about solution automation and code generation, and practitioners of Data Integration Lifecycle Management (DILM) in the DevOps enterprise

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SQL Server Integration Services Design Patterns Dec 24, 2014

by Tim Mitchell, Matt Masson, Andy Leonard, Jessica Moss, Michelle Ufford

( 17 )

$41.49

SQL Server Integration Services Design Patterns is newly-revised for SQL Server 2014, and is a book of recipes for SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS). Design patterns in the book help to solve common problems encountered when developing data integration solutions. The patterns and solution examples in the book increase your efficiency as an SSIS developer, because you do not have to design and code from scratch with each new problem you face. The book's team of expert authors take you through numerous design patterns that you'll soon be using every day, providing the thought process and technical details needed to support their solutions.

SQL Server Integration Services Design Patterns goes beyond the surface of the immediate problems to be solved, delving into why particular problems should be solved in certain ways. You'll learn more about SSIS as a result, and you'll learn by practical example. Where appropriate, the book provides examples of alternative patterns and discusses when and where they should be used. Highlights of the book include sections on ETL Instrumentation, SSIS Frameworks, Business Intelligence Markup Language, and Dependency Services.

Takes you through solutions to common data integration challenges
Provides examples involving Business Intelligence Markup Language
Teaches SSIS using practical examples

Other Formats: Paperback

Building Custom Tasks for SQL Server Integration Services Jul 4, 2017

by Andy Leonard

( 23 )

$19.99

Learn to build custom SSIS tasks using Visual Studio Community Edition and Visual Basic. Bring all the power of Microsoft .NET to bear on your data integration and ETL processes, and for no added cost over what you’ve already spent on licensing SQL Server. If you already have a license for SQL Server, then you do not need to spend more money to extend SSIS with custom tasks and components.
Why are custom components necessary? Because even though the SSIS catalog of built-in tasks and components is a marvel of engineering, there do remain gaps in the functionality that is provided. These gaps are especially relevant to enterprises practicing Data Integration Lifecycle Management (DILMS) and/or DevOps.
One of the gaps is a limitation of the SSIS Execute Package task. Developers using the stock version of that task are unable to select SSIS packages from other projects. Yet it’s useful to be able to select and execute tasks across projects, and the example used throughout this book will help you to create an Execute Catalog Package task that does in fact allow you to execute a task from another project. Building on the example’s pattern, you can create any task that you like, custom tailored to your specific, data integration and ETL needs.
What You Will Learn

Configure and execute Visual Studio in the way that best supports SSIS task development
Create a class library as the basis for an SSIS task, and reference the needed SSIS assemblies
Properly sign assemblies that you create in order to invoke them from your task
Implement source code control via Visual Studio Team Services, or your own favorite tool set
Code not only your tasks themselves, but also the associated task editors
Troubleshoot and then execute your custom tasks as part of your own project

Who This Book Is For

Database administrators and developers who are involved in ETL projects built around SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS). Readers should have a background in programming along with a desire to optimize their ETL efforts by creating custom-tailored tasks for execution from SSIS packages.

Other Formats: Paperback

Data Integration Life Cycle Management with SSIS: A Short Introduction by Example Nov 17, 2017

by Andy Leonard

( 3 )

$24.99

Build a custom BimlExpress framework that generates dozens of SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages in minutes. Use this framework to execute related SSIS packages in a single command. You will learn to configure SSIS catalog projects, manage catalog deployments, and monitor SSIS catalog execution and history.
Data Integration Life Cycle Management with SSIS shows you how to bring DevOps benefits to SSIS integration projects. Practices in this book enable faster time to market, higher quality of code, and repeatable automation. Code will be created that is easier to support and maintain. The book teaches you how to more effectively manage SSIS in the enterprise environment by drawing on the art and science of modern DevOps practices.
What You'll Learn

Generate dozens of SSIS packages in minutes to speed your integration projects
Reduce the execution of related groups of SSIS packages to a single command
Successfully handle SSIS catalog deployments and their projects
Monitor the execution and history of SSIS catalog projects
Manage your enterprise data integration life cycle through automated tools and utilities

Who This Book Is For

Database professionals working with SQL Server Integration Services in enterprise environments. The book is especially useful to those readers following, or wishing to follow, DevOps practices in their use of SSIS.

Other Formats: Paperback

Managing Geeks: A Journey of Leading by Doing Jan 20, 2015

by Andy Leonard

( 8 )

$3.49

In this highly personal and deeply experienced description of his journey from technology expert to technology manager, Andy Leonard shares his philosophy and approach to management. In contrast to recent management fads, which focus on things a manager should do, this book is about what drives the person who manages. The focus is on values, ethics, relationships, and what’s right for the business and the people who make the business succeed. As Leonard says, “The theme of this book is about being as opposed to doing. Experience has taught me that to be a good manager, I need to know who I am and do what I am… What I am is what I have to offer the world, and it’s the core of what I have to offer others who want to be good managers.” Although the book is specifically about managing “geeks” (a term that technology specialists proudly claim), Leonard’s experience and advice apply to any manager in any field. Leonard says that every manager needs to start by asking, “Who am I?” If that question makes you pause to think, this book will be a valuable resource and tool to help you be a better manager.

Other Formats: Paperback

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