I am just posting this to vent. . .which I think we all need sometimes!

I am working on a major data warehouse. I am essentially the sole coder with generalized support from the programming department. This has been the biggest sql based project I have ever worked on - and the first data warehouse. Man have I learned alot!

I have been struggling with load times - the balance of resources, data update, and indexes. We are talking a good 10,0000+ fact records a day. Long story short, I spent all day yesterday reworking the timing of the index builds, setting up a rebuilt script, and testing load times. Since some of the scripts take over an hour to run this is a tedious part of the process. I can’t completely leave the computer, but I have to stay around in-case there are any errors. I also have to decide when its taking too long. I finally got things processed in a time frame that I think is acceptable. And I did so in time for the nightly load to kick off - finishing up around 11:30pm.

This morning I excitedly checked in.

Crap - I had forgotten to remove one of the store procedures. So the second step in the job (the step I had been testing the previous day) did not complete. Crap crap crap.

Anyway. I corrected the error and I am running the step again. Fingers crossed it should finish in approximately 7 hours. Then I can actually do the work that is billable for this customer - rewriting their original report scripts to point to the new data warehouse.

Anyone else have a vent? Feel free to follow up! You are not alone!

I am currently contracted to the software department for the clinical division for a large academic publishing company. When I get it done right the first time, no one realizes how difficult of a task it was. Meanwhile, I’m waiting on the guys who think they’re bad ass programmers to finish a 5 minute task that should have been done two days ago. Last night I had to stand behind the programmer and watch him do it to make sure it got done. I got out of work 20 minutes late on a Friday afternoon when I was aching to start my weekend because of him. Am I the only one who has a life outside of work?

Very possibly you are!  It is sometimes hard for me to disconnect from work and go get a social life.

I have been focusing on finding social ladies groups in the area, and that is really helping me disconnect from the laptop and mingle out there among the other people in the world.

Everything in moderation. ;)

Moderation what’s that? ;)

PixelGeek - 19 July 2008 03:54 PM

Moderation what’s that? ;)

The difference between a professional and a junkie. LOL

I am so there with you!

I’ve been at my new job for 4 weeks, 2 of week my boss has been offsite\vacation. So, during the 2 weeks of solo time we’ve had 5 new employees start, 10 people from other offices visiting, critical systems fail, 5 power outages, backup issues and server issues. It’s been a true trial by fire for me. Plus, they don’t have documentation, procedures or policies anywere useful (aka not written down!) so they will just have deal with the way I do things.

All in all it’s been bad and I think at times they are a bit surprised I’m still here (I thrive on chaos, what can I say) They are a wonderful company and I hope to make things better for them in the long run - just surviving the first few months could be a challenge!

PsyscoGirl

I worked in one communication company. Not long ago, I was transferred to the branch office. No problem for me. But instead of storing a lot of branch offices of financial problems. There is difference in the previous financial year that have not been resolved. And now it’s my job. Every night is always late, sometimes still carry office files. Too much deviation by removing files. Makes my head want to explode. And make my weight down 3 pounds. After finding where the errors are never made by the employee before me, huhhhh ...

Finally able to rest my eyes and I could eat a nice ...