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How to Rename a SQL Server Table

This morning at work I created a whole bunch of test tables with dummy data in them. After inserting all that data I realized I created the table with the wrong name. So instead of dropping and recreating everything, I used the “sp_rename” stored procedure. The syntax is as follows:

exec sp_rename ‘old Table name’, ‘new Table name’

It’s pretty simple and easy to execute.

One thing to note according to Microsoft (see image below)

sp_rename cautionIf you plan on using sp_rename make sure all your objects (stored procedures, tirggers, functions, etc.) reference the new name or they will break.

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How to Read SQL Server Error Log Using sp_readerrorlog

I had an incident at work where I had to analyze the SQL Server error log. I was looking for a specific piece of information and so I thought I could just open the error log in notepad and find what I was looking for with the good old “CTRL+F.” That just took longer due to the confusing format. Below is a better and faster way. Continue reading “How to Read SQL Server Error Log Using sp_readerrorlog”

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How To Find All Tables, Columns, Data Types of SQL Server Database

Recently I had to find all the tables, columns, data types, etc. from a database. Below is a thorough script that brings back all the tables, attributes, data types, whether the column allows NULLS, whether it’s a Primary Key, or a Foreign Key (and if so, the referencing table). It’s extremely useful and easy to run. Continue reading “How To Find All Tables, Columns, Data Types of SQL Server Database”

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How to Find Last Login Date of a SQL Server Login?

Feel free to watch the how-to video above or read below.

There are many options to find the last login date for a a SQL Server login. Even though there are awesome scripts like Adam Machanic’s “Who is Active” (download link here), sometimes you might find yourself without internet access, or perhaps at a client site that doesn’t have “Who is Active” installed and you forgot your thumb drive at home. :) Continue reading “How to Find Last Login Date of a SQL Server Login?”

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Find Rogue Transactions in SQL Server

One of the developers approached me today asking why their simple SELECT SQL query was taking forever. I walked over to their desk and noticed their SQL code had a BEGIN TRAN but no COMMIT or ROLLBACK. I ran a:

SELECT @@trancount

…but that didn’t bring back anything. So then I ran:

DBCC OPENTRAN

…and it returned an open transaction with its associated SPID.

How to find rogue transactions in SQL Server

I used the KILL command to kill SPID 57 (Kill 57) and the developer’s query returned instantly.

And just in case you were wondering, the cause of the rogue transaction was a BEGIN statement that the developer ran without a COMMIT or ROLLBACK and the developer tried to access that same table in another session window.

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SQL Server Database Instance-Level Backup Compression Setup

I was fortunate enough to attend Paul Randal’s and Kimberly Tripp’s IETPO1 this past Spring. During the week long training I met Tim Radney (he’s a SQL Consultant at SQLSkills). I approached him, introduced myself and as we were talking, the subject of SQL Server backups came up. I explained my work’s current backup strategy and how I’d like to make it more efficient, both in speed and disk space. Tim suggested I enable the instance-wide backup compression option in SQL Server Management Studio (see image below) Continue reading “SQL Server Database Instance-Level Backup Compression Setup”

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With All Due Respect…

Recently at work, I came back from lunch to my coworkers yelling,

“We’ve been looking for you! You need to restore the database!”

I was extremely surprised and caught off-guard by the verbal attack. I tried my best to keep my cool, even though my heart was racing fast, and asked for further explanation as to why I should “restore the database?”

They replied, “We can’t connect to our application!” Continue reading “With All Due Respect…”

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Blogging Baby Steps

Looking back, I don’t remember a time that I ever liked to write. I was the kid in school that always took forever to write a paper because it was “never good enough.”

With some encouragement from my friend Tim Radney, I decided to take the plunge and travel down the road of blogging. I do work full time as a SQL Server DBA so most of my posts will be centered around things I learn everyday at work.

Like the title of this blog says, I’m starting out with “baby steps” but hopefully I’ll be up and running very soon!