SQL Profiler vs. Extended Events: Time to Switch?

Many people working with enterprise technologies live by rule, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But when tools and technologies become obsolete – as has occurred with several popular tools and is destined to affect Microsoft SQL Profiler – we need to adopt new technologies.

If your troubleshooting tools and techniques are working and you are using the most current technologies available, great! If you are still using outdated and obsolete tools, you need to look at other options.

Our experience with Microsoft’s Extended Events is a great example. Extended Events has been around since 2008. So what took us – OK, not just us, everyone! – so long to get on the Extended Events bandwagon?

We at Datavail don’t have a good excuse for delaying and dithering. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” has been working fine for us. SQL Profiler still works. It’s a tried-and-true testing technology that’s been around forever. It’s quick, comfortable, familiar, and easy to use.

The problem with SQL Profiler is that it is becoming obsolete.

Moving from SQL Profiler to Extended Events

If we don’t remember the pain associated with using a technology or application well past its usefulness, then we are destined to repeat our mistakes. You also stuck with WordPerfect and Windows XP until the bitter end, didn’t you? Remember how those relationships ended?

Move on! Using new tools and technologies is an advantage for you and your organization. If you want to grow in your profession, you need to get out of your comfort zone by working with new tools. New tools exist for a reason: They are a marked improvement compared to existing technologies.

Proactively using new tools translates into increased productivity, decreased down time, and a host of other benefits for the entire organization.

One of the advantages of making such a transition is that it is often easy to get up to speed when using new tools, as is the case with Extended Events. Some tasks you may want to replicate from SQL Profiler, for example, are more easily executed with Extended Events. Ease of use is a huge benefit.

Datavail Can Help

What are you waiting for? Fix the issue before an obsolete technology becomes a problem that translates into productivity losses or causes your organization to be less than responsive to business needs.

Sometimes, it takes a little assistance and effort to transition to new tools and new ways of working. If you or your staff need more training or assistance with new tools, you may wish to contact Datavail. We can help you design custom tools and solutions, as well as assist with a wide range of other tasks to help your organization run more effectively and efficiently. By allowing our experts to tackle these tasks, we free your staff to focus on high-priority, high-value projects.

Be sure to read more on the topic with this webinar, titled “Extending Your Use of Extended Events.”

If you would like to know more about our outsourcing services and how we can help, please contact Datavail to discuss a custom solution designed for your enterprise.

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