Sp_QuickieStore: Regression Mode Seems To Have Lost Some Defaults
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Overview
The sp_QuickieStore procedure is a crucial component of the DarlingData project, designed to provide a quick and efficient way to store and analyze data. However, recent changes to the procedure have introduced a regression mode issue, causing it to fail with a NULL value error. In this article, we will delve into the details of the issue, explore the steps to reproduce it, and discuss the expected behavior.
Current Behavior
The current behavior of the sp_QuickieStore procedure is to fail with a Msg 515 error when attempting to insert a NULL value into the column_source column. This error occurs when the procedure is executed with the following code:
DECLARE @TwoWeekAgo datetimeoffset(7) = DATEADD(WEEK, -2, SYSDATETIMEOFFSET());
EXEC dbo.sp_QuickieStore
@database_name = 'StackOverflow2013',
@sort_order = 'logical reads',
@regression_baseline_start_date = @TwoWeekAgo;
The error message indicates that the column_source column does not allow NULL values, and the insert operation fails as a result.
Steps to Reproduce
To reproduce the issue, simply execute the code snippet provided above. This will trigger the sp_QuickieStore procedure to fail with the Msg 515 error.
Expected Behavior
The expected behavior of the sp_QuickieStore procedure is to use the documented defaults and not fail at runtime. Alternatively, the procedure should provide an error message that allows the user to fix the issue without reading the source code.
Affected Versions and OS
The issue affects the current dev branch of the DarlingData project. However, it is worth noting that this issue did not occur in previous versions of the procedure. For example, version 5.1 of the procedure worked correctly with the same code.
Contributing Guide
If you are interested in contributing code to the DarlingData project, please read the contributing guide first. This guide provides essential information on how to contribute to the project, including guidelines for coding style, testing, and documentation.
Fixing the Issue
Fortunately, the issue can be fixed by modifying the procedure to use the documented defaults or by providing a more informative error message. We will work on fixing this issue today and provide an update on the progress.
Proposed Solution
One possible solution to this issue is to modify the procedure to use the documented defaults when the regression_baseline_start_date parameter is not provided. This can be achieved by adding a default value to the parameter or by modifying the procedure to use a default value when the parameter is not specified.
Code Changes
The code changes required to fix this issue will be made to the sp_QuickieStore procedure. The changes will involve modifying the procedure to use the documented defaults or providing a more informative error message.
Testing
Once the code changes have been made, the procedure will be thoroughly tested to ensure that it works correctly and does not produce any errors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the sp_QuickieStore procedure has a regression mode issue that causes it to fail with a NULL value error. This issue can be fixed by modifying the procedure to use the documented defaults or by providing a more informative error message. We will work on fixing this issue today and provide an update on the progress.
Future Work
In the future, we will continue to work on improving the sp_QuickieStore procedure and ensuring that it works correctly and efficiently. We will also provide regular updates on the progress and any changes made to the procedure.
Contributing to the Project
If you are interested in contributing to the DarlingData project, please read the contributing guide first. This guide provides essential information on how to contribute to the project, including guidelines for coding style, testing, and documentation.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about the sp_QuickieStore procedure or the DarlingData project, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to help and provide support.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current behavior of the sp_QuickieStore procedure?
A: The current behavior of the sp_QuickieStore procedure is to fail with a Msg 515 error when attempting to insert a NULL value into the column_source column.
Q: What is the expected behavior of the sp_QuickieStore procedure?
A: The expected behavior of the sp_QuickieStore procedure is to use the documented defaults and not fail at runtime. Alternatively, the procedure should provide an error message that allows the user to fix the issue without reading the source code.
Q: Which versions of SQL Server and which OS are affected by this issue?
A: The issue affects the current dev branch of the DarlingData project. However, it is worth noting that this issue did not occur in previous versions of the procedure.
Q: How can I reproduce the issue?
A: To reproduce the issue, simply execute the code snippet provided above. This will trigger the sp_QuickieStore procedure to fail with the Msg 515 error.
Q: What is the proposed solution to this issue?
A: One possible solution to this issue is to modify the procedure to use the documented defaults when the regression_baseline_start_date parameter is not provided. This can be achieved by adding a default value to the parameter or by modifying the procedure to use a default value when the parameter is not specified.
Q: What are the code changes required to fix this issue?
A: The code changes required to fix this issue will be made to the sp_QuickieStore procedure. The changes will involve modifying the procedure to use the documented defaults or providing a more informative error message.
Q: How will the procedure be tested to ensure that it works correctly?
A: Once the code changes have been made, the procedure will be thoroughly tested to ensure that it works correctly and does not produce any errors.
Q: What is the next step in fixing this issue?
A: The next step in fixing this issue is to make the code changes and test the procedure to ensure that it works correctly.
Q: How can I contribute to the DarlingData project?
A: If you are interested in contributing to the DarlingData project, please read the contributing guide first. This guide provides essential information on how to contribute to the project, including guidelines for coding style, testing, and documentation.
Q: How can I contact the team for support?
A: If you have any questions or concerns about the sp_QuickieStore procedure or the DarlingData project, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to help and provide support.