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Kevin Kline

database technology expert and author


Areas of Expertise:
  • Enterprise database management
  • SQL
  • SQL Server
  • Oracle
  • MySQL
  • PostgreSQL
  • Microsoft
  • Quest Software
  • business intelligence
  • speaking
  • teaching
  • training
  • management
  • process improvement
  • enterprise architecture
  • application architecture
  • board governance and leadership
  • consulting
  • speaking
  • writing

Biography

Kevin Kline is the Technical Strategy Manager for SQL Server Solutions at Quest Software, a leading provider of award winning tools for database management and application monitoring tools. Kevin is also the President of the international Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS) and frequently contributes to database technology magazines, web sites, and discussion forums. Kevin's most popular book is SQL in a Nutshell published by O'Reilly Media. Kevin is also the author of monthly magazine columns for SQL Server Magazine and Database Trends & Applications. Kevin is a top rated speaker, appearing at international conferences like Microsoft TechEd, DevTeach, PASS, Microsoft IT Forum, and SQL Connections.

Books

SQL in a Nutshell SQL in a Nutshell
by Kevin Kline , Daniel Kline , Brand Hunt
Third Edition November 2008
Print: $44.99
Ebook: $35.99
Bundle: $58.49

SQL in a Nutshell SQL in a Nutshell
by Kevin Kline
Second Edition September 2004
OUT OF PRINT
starstarstarstarstar (4)
(Read Reviews)

SQL In A Nutshell SQL In A Nutshell
by Kevin Kline
December 2000
OUT OF PRINT
starstarstarstarstar (2)
(Read Reviews)

Transact-SQL Programming Transact-SQL Programming
by Kevin Kline , Lee Gould , Andrew Zanevsky
April 1999
Print: $49.95
starstarstarstarstar (3)
(Read Reviews)

Blog

Kevin's blog posts are hosted at:
http://sqlblog.com/blogs/kevin_kline/

Old Performance Tuning Recommendations Die Hard

June 23 2009

It’s interesting to me that old and inaccurate performance tuning recommendations seem to have a life of their own. In some ways, old performance tuning recommendations are like the Undead from some kind of cheesy, 1970’s zombie movie – no matter how many times you shoot them, they just keep… read more

Excellent new books for SQL Server professionals

June 09 2009

Hello from Vancouver, BC!  I'm enjoying the proceedings at the annual DevTeach conference and looking forward to some great sessions today. I was recently given the privilege to tech review a new book put out by Manning Publications, written by Rod Colledge, called SQL Server 2008 Administration in Action.  I liked… read more

Speaking in Vancouver at DevTeach, June 8-12

June 03 2009

Join me and many other friends, like Bill Graziano, Peter Debetta, and Brad McGeehee, as we speak next week at the DevTeach conference in Vancouver, BC.  You can register at http://www.devteach.com. Take a look at the impressive conferences schedule (at http://www.devteach.com/Schedule.aspx ) with 136 sessions presented in 8 rooms from June… read more

Microsoft Resources Too Good Not to Share

May 22 2009

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[OT-Humor] A Brief, Incomplete, and Mostly Wrong History of Programming Languages

May 13 2009

This blogpost is hilarious!  So, how would you write the entry on SQL?  Here's my shot - "Initially developed in 1979 to support IBMs first relational database, System R, the Arkansas faction lost their bid to have the new SQL language pronounced 'SQUEEL'."Enjoy! -Kevin Share this post: email it! |… read more

Are We There Yet, Mom?

May 13 2009

You've probably heard by now that Microsoft just announced at TechEd 2009 the next release of SQL Server, called SQL Server 2008 R2, will have a focused set of features around BI self-service and some enhancements in multi-server management.  SQLMag has a nice summary here: http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/102089/102089.html.  These features implement some very nice increments in functionality… read more

Microsoft Marketing Throws SQL Server Under the Bus

May 06 2009

"A spokesperson for Microsoft said that the problem was not bandwidth but that its SQL Server database had reached excessive fragmentation levels caused by the tremendous surge of queries".  Read about it here:   http://www.itnews.com.au/News/102445,windows-7-rc-download-crashes.aspx   and also here:   http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=910   Why didn't anyone involved bother to think thru the fact that competitors and… read more

SQL in a Nutshell as an iPhone App

April 30 2009

My editor at O'Reilly & Associates sent me an email the other day.  It read "I'm pleased to tell you that SQL in a Nutshell will be one of 19 titles submitted to Apple by early next week. It may take up to 3 weeks after that for them to… read more

Is it Time for a Professional Code of Ethics for DBAs?

April 21 2009

The root of this blog post is witnessing one too many DBAs, either through direct action or indirectly by failing to act, damage or destroy the very databases they are charged with protecting.  In a sense, DBAs are the guardians of an extremely valuable corporate asset - its data.  But… read more

Looking for Good DMV/Database Admin Queries!

April 07 2009

I like to collect useful database administration queries that leverage the SQL Server 2005 and 2008 DMVs.  Heck, I'm still interested in SQL Server 2000 queries too.  I thought I'd make my search public so that a) you can share your favorite queries here or great reference queries written by others and… read more

Kevin Speaking at the SSWUG vConference in late April

April 01 2009

Looking to make some great, at-your-desk training even more affordable?  Use my ViP code for the SSWUG vConference, SPVKKLSP09, to get an extra $10 off the conference on top of any other discounts given (such as early bird or alumni). Here's the conference URL: http://www.vconferenceonline.com/upcoming.asp?id=111.  And here are 6 Reasons… read more

Virtualization with Kevin and Brent

March 13 2009

Brent Ozar and I had an interview with Jeff James over at SQL Server Magazine.  The topic was virtualization, where Brent and I were able to riff extensively on the topic.  I encourage you to take a look here. And if you haven't already checked it out, look at Brent's excellent… read more

Things You Know Now

March 10 2009

I was recently tagged by Chris Shaw, in his blog post Things You Know Now, with the thread started by Michelle Ufford (aka the SQLFool), in her blog post also entitled Things You Know Now.  In the original thread, Michelle asks "It doesn't have to be DBA skills, but what do you wish… read more

Kevin's New Interview on SSWUG

March 07 2009

Check out my new interview conducted by Steven Wynkoop over at http://www.sswug.org/media/.  We talk about a number of topics, such as some of the latest pains we’re seeing in the market and one of my biggest personal pet peeves on SQL Server. Enjoy! -Kevin P.S. For some reason, it looks like I’m striking a… read more

An Interview with Denis Gobo

February 25 2009

I had the pleasure of speaking with SQL Server MVP, Denis Gobo, about my newest book, SQL in a Nutshell 3rd Edition.  In the interview, we discuss the state of database industry, ANSI SQL, and other related questions. Check out Denis' interview (and his fine blog) at http://blogs.lessthandot.com/index.php/DataMgmt/DBProgramming/an-interview-with- kevin-kline-about-sql-. Thanks, -Kevin Share this post: email it!… read more
Kevin Kline