SQLBits 2024

In 2007, Simon Sabin got help of a few SQL Server professionals and user group volunteers and staged the first ever SQLBits event in Reading, UK.

Since then, it has grown to become the biggest conference about SQL Server in Europe. The event is known for its high-quality technical content and for maintaining a strong "for and by the data community" atmosphere.

I was wondering whether the rumors about SQLBits were still true after 17 years. Does it truly possess the same quality and atmosphere as people claim?

After all these years, I had finally the chance to find out! I attended Bits for the first time, not just as an attendee, but also as a speaker.

(Spoiler alert: it was great!)

What you can expect from SQLBits

SQLBits offers a blend of training, information sharing, and networking opportunities tailored for SQL Server professionals at all skill levels. What began as a free one-day event has now evolved into a five-day conference. Attendees have the opportunity to participate in full training days (known as precons), engage with industry keynotes, and explore a diverse array of sessions raging from 20 to 100 minutes in length.

The sessions cover a wide range of topics including Performance Tuning, Database Administration, Business Intelligence, and non-technical subjects.

I found that there was a well-balanced mix of discussions on new functionalities such as Fabric and AI, as well as traditional DBA topics like indexing and performance tuning.

The SQLBits Community

The event is still organized by a dedicated and incredibly helpful team of volunteers, who excel in their roles, whether it’s warmly welcoming attendees at reception or assisting the speakers with session logistics.

The infectious enthusiasm of the organizers clearly extends to the attendees. From my own experience, it was easy to mingle in the expo hall and talk to everyone. The overall atmosphere remains one of openness, friendliness, and inclusivity, reflecting the spirit of a community-driven event.

Furthermore, the expo hall served as the venue for evening activities such as “Board Games and Burgers”, the “Pub Quiz” and the famous “SQLBits Party”. Additionally, sponsors had their booths set up there, ready to assist attendees with any challenges they might encounter in their work. It’s the perfect place to network with others and enjoy the delicious food provided.

Finally, I’d like to extend a special recognition to the organizers for their commitment to supporting charitable causes through the event. Per session, there was a feedback form, with the final question asking attendees for input on where the organization should direct its donations.

My personal favorite sessions

There were numerous excellent sessions, but I’d like to highlight two in this post that stood out for me.

First, Bob Ward ’s presentation on “What you should know about Always On availability groups”. Attending sessions led by Bob is never a disappointment. He’s a captivating presenter and a real performer on stage. He can delve into the depths of any topic, ensuring you both learn something new and are entertained along the way.

In this session, Bob discussed “Always On” and aimed to bust some myths about the function of Availability Groups, performance and how to troubleshoot when experiencing problems.

For example, did you know that Enterprise Edition is no longer necessary to utilize Availability Groups? Even in Standard Edition, there’s an option to employ Basic AG’s.

Additionally, you aren’t required to pay for your passive nodes. A passive node can be utilized for tasks such as CheckDB, backups, monitoring and even conducting high availability or disaster recovery drills every 90 days. This applies for Azure as well. (Keep in mind that for Azure, you do need to pay for the storage required for the databases).

Bob also provided a thorough explanation of the architecture of Availability Groups across different scenarios, discussing the considerations for choosing between Synchronous and A-Synchronous configurations and whether a (Windows) cluster may be necessary for setup.

This is a session you shouldn’t miss when you have the opportunity!

The second session I want to highlight is the one of Gianluca Sartori on “Time Series with SQL Server 2022”. Time series are becoming increasingly crucial, particularly with the abundance of measurements gathered through IoT devices. Gianluca Sartori delivered a session on how SQL Server 2022 supports time series data and its performance compared to Influx DB.

While Azure SQL Edge is specifically designed for time series data, SQL Server 2022 also offers features that can be leveraged for this purpose. Although InfluxDB may boast efficiency and better functions for data analysis, SQL Server 2022 can still effectively handle measurement data.

However, users must manage data retention themselves, which can be achieved through tools like SQL Agent Job and partition switching.

Furthermore, data analysis has been streamlined with SQL Server 2022, although it may still present some challenges compared to InfluxDB. The added support for functions like GENERATE_SERIES and DATE_BUCKET enhances its usability. Additionally, the ability to seamlessly connect to relational data may sway users towards SQL Server over Influx DB.

About my own session

On Friday, just after lunch, it was my responsibility to keep attendees engaged with my session on Extended Events. Extended Events provide a highly flexible approach to analyzing performance, diagnostics, and delving into the inner works of SQL Server.

During my session, I divided the discussion into segments, one of which involved showcasing some slides. In these slides, I talked about the development of Extended Events, highlighting how they have evolved since SQL Server 2008. Back then, using Extended Events was horrible due to the lack of essential features such as GUI or the ability to write results to disk. However, in the current state, as of SQL Server 2022, Extended Events support an increasing array of features.

I’m not here to bash Profiler today, but it’s worth noting that while Profiler has seen minimal development since 2008, Extended Events have expanded significantly. In fact, Extended Events offer around 10 times the number of events for capturing data. Moreover, they support functionalities that Profiler does not, such as Query Store, Graph, Automatic Tuning and more.

After the about 10 slides, I’ve continued the session with demoing how you can setup an Extended Event in SSMS. This can be done with GUI or with plain SQL scripting and a possible way how to retrieve the data. I had a focus on showing the data in SSMS, but there are also other ways to retrieve the data like DBATools, Azure Data Studio etc.

We setup an Extended Event and watched the data being retrieved. I’ve shown how you can customize your screen with adding or removing columns and how one can filter and group the data.

After about 10 slides, I proceeded with the session by demonstrating how to set up an Extended Event in SSMS. This can be achieved either through the graphical user interface (GUI) or via plain SQL scripting, along with a potential method for retrieving the data. While I primarily focused on showcasing data presentation in SSMS, it's important to note that there are alternative methods for data retrieval, such as DBATools and Azure Data Studio.

During the demonstration, we configured an Extended Event and observed the data retrieval process. I illustrated how you can personalize your display by adding or removing columns and demonstrated techniques for filtering and grouping the data

After that, I presented some of the new features introduced in SQL Server 2022, and I learned the importance of not improvising during my demos when questions arise 😊. I encountered a question that prompted me to think, 'Let me show you,' but despite its simplicity, I wasn't able to get it working within the limited time frame of my presentation.

Although my attempt at improvisation failed miserably, I'm still very pleased to have had the opportunity to speak at such a large event like SQL Bits and to have received valuable feedback so far.

If you attended or watched this session online, please share your thoughts with me so I can continue to refine my speaking skills

Conclusion

SQLBits 2024 reaffirmed its status as the premier conference for SQL Server professionals in Europe. With its rich history, unwavering commitment to the community, and a diverse array of high-quality sessions, SQLBits exceeded my expectations.

I witnessed firsthand the passion and dedication of the organizers, volunteers, and participants alike. From insightful sessions on emerging technologies to valuable networking opportunities, SQLBits offers something for everyone in the SQL Server community. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this exceptional event and eagerly anticipate its future editions.

Thanks SQLBits and Monin IT for making this possible.