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.

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”

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”

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?”

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.