QuerySurge / MS Excel FAQ

Versions: 8.0+

1. What is changing about QuerySurge?
   
   As part of our technology upgrade cycle, QuerySurge is upgrading from Java 7 to Java 8. (Yes, we know, we're pretty late to the party.) Java 8 provides many benefits including enhanced performance and security.
   
    Note: The option to create new Excel Connections via Java's builtin ODBC/JDBC is deprecated in QuerySurge version 9.0+.
   
   
2. Why is this important?
   
   Oracle has removed Java’s built-in JDBC/ODBC bridge component after Java 7. This component is what QuerySurge has used internally to connect to Excel files.
   
   
3. When will I be impacted?
   
   Support for the current method for connecting to Excel files is slated to end by October 31, 2019. When you upgrade to QuerySurge 6.4 (or higher), QuerySurge will run on Java 8 or higher (see #1, #2). We have, however, built a backwards compatibility option into QuerySurge to keep your existing Excel queries running without change. But: this is a temporary option; we are planning to sunset this feature after October 31, 2019.
   
   
4. What are my options for my existing Excel queries?
   
   Due to the removal of JDBC/ODBC bridge by Oracle, QuerySurge is deprecating the existing Excel connection type.  Following are two options for Excel connections:
   
   a) Implement (or re-implement) your Excel queries with QuerySurge’s new JDBC driver for Excel (bundled in QuerySurge 6.3 and higher).
   
   b) We understand that users may not be able to switch to the new QuerySurge Excel JDBC Driver quickly, so we have built a backwards compatibility option into QuerySurge to keep your existing Excel queries running without change. But: if you can’t change over immediately, now is the time to start planning to change over, because we are planning to sunset this feature after October 31, 2019.
   
   
5. I am an existing user – am I going to be forced to upgrade?
   
   No, of course not. But we’d like to take advantage of newer Java releases that provide new features, better performance and greater security in our product – for you! So we urge you to upgrade as soon as your schedule permits.
   
   
6. I am an existing user - by what date should I have all my "old" style Excel queries re-written for QuerySurge’s new Excel JDBC Driver?
   
   We strongly recommend that you aim to have your existing Excel queries rewritten and re-implemented with the new QuerySurge Excel JDBC Driver by October 31, 2019.
   
   
7. What will happen to my existing Excel queries when I upgrade my QuerySurge?
   
   Your existing queries will continue to run normally - we have built a backwards compatibility option into QuerySurge (see #3, #4). But note: we are planning to sunset this feature after October 31, 2019.
   
   
8. What are the advantages of using QuerySurge’s new Excel JDBC Driver?
   
   The QuerySurge Excel JDBC Driver offers the following advantages:
   a) Write your queries in a standard SQL syntax for greater flexibility and ease of maintenance (Excel SQL is not a standard dialect).
   b) Your queries will run faster! This is dependent on your Excel sheet size, of course – the difference is much greater for larger sheets. In our tests, we see up to a 10x improvement.
   c) For those of you (and we know you’re out there!) who want to deploy a QuerySurge Agent on Linux and query Excel files on Linux, the QuerySurge Excel JDBC Driver handles this use case.
   d) Of course, you won’t have to deploy an Excel ODBC driver or Microsoft Office to any Agents – because our new Excel JDBC Driver doesn’t use it.
   
   See more about the advantages of QuerySurge’s new Excel JDBC Driver in this article.
   
   
9. I am a new user, and I need to query against Excel sheets. What is the best way to get started?
   
   Start with the QuerySurge Excel JDBC Driver! You have no investment in the "old style" of Excel querying, so why not get the benefits of the QuerySurge Excel JDBC Driver from the get-go?
   
   See how to create a Connection with the QuerySurge Excel JDBC Driver in this article and about the query syntax in this article.
   
   
10. I am an existing user - and I have a relatively modest number of Excel queries in my QueryPairs (about 25 queries). What is my best option?
    
    Your best option with this number of queries is to start to move them over to the new QuerySurge Excel JDBC Driver as soon as possible. Typically, Excel queries tend to be syntactically straightforward, and with a low number of queries, you can convert them quickly. If your queries are on the more complex side, the conversion should not take a terribly long period.
    
    
11. I am an existing user – and I have a lot of Excel queries in my QueryPairs (>100) but they are mainly “SELECT *” queries. What is my best option?
    
    Even with a larger number of queries, if the syntax is of the “SELECT *” variety, conversion can be straightforward. Feel free to contact QuerySurge Support for a discussion about your queries and the best way forward.
    
    
12. I am an existing user – and I have a lot of Excel queries in my QueryPairs (>100) and they are relatively complex SQL. What is my best option?
    
    With a larger number of queries and with complex SQL, your situation requires planning. We recommend that you contact QuerySurge Support for an evaluation of your queries and the best way forward. We’re eager to make this transition as smooth as possible.
    
    
13. I’ve heard that Java (which QuerySurge runs on) will soon only be available for a 64 bit architecture. How does this impact QuerySurge?
    
    This is correct – after Java 8, the Java platform only supports 64 bit architectures. QuerySurge 6.4 runs on Java 8, which supports both 32 bit and 64 bit architectures; Java 8 is the final Java version that supports both 32 and 64 bit versions.
    So:
    
    • If you have 32 bit QuerySurge components (e.g. Agents) deployed on 32 bit Windows or Linux systems, now is the time to plan for 64 bit replacement systems.
    • If you have 32 bit QuerySurge components deployed on 64 bit Windows, these will have to be upgraded to 64 bit QuerySurge.
    It is important to note that 64 bit QuerySurge Agents cannot work with 32 bit Microsoft Office, 32 bit Excel ODBC drivers, or any 32 bit components.
    
    
14. When will QuerySurge move beyond Java 8 (i.e., when should I plan to have moved all my QuerySurge components and drivers to 64 bit versions)?
    
    Our tentative end-of-support date is October 31, 2019 (the same date that that you should have your existing Excel queries rewritten for the QuerySurge Excel JDBC Driver).
    
    
15. Will the QuerySurge team be able to help me with the changeover to the QuerySurge Excel JDBC Driver (updating queries, connections, etc.)?
    
    QuerySurge Support is always ready to help!
    
    • Regarding Excel-related issues and conversions, for standard questions and support issues, your questions can be handled in the usual way, via the QuerySurge Knowledge Base and ticketing system.
    • If you feel that you need extra help in your conversion, we’ll be happy to speak with you about a short-term service contract to cover your needs.

    Feel free to contact the QuerySurge Support team with any questions or comments through the normal channels or contact us here.