How to capture errors from SQLCMD

Question: I'm executing code using SQLCMD from a batch file . The code points to a sql file and there is also an output file. SQLCMD -E -S MYSERVER\INST1 -i "setup_job_entry.sql" -o "setup_job_entry.log" But I noticed that if the actual SQLCMD returns an error , for example , if I'm connecting to an server which doesn't exist this error message will appear in the output file - but there will not be an ERROR number , which would allow me to trap and return an appropriate message Sqlcmd: Error: Microsoft ODBC Driver 13 for SQL Server : SQL Server Network... Read more →

SQLSERVER-DBA.COM most read posts in 2018

SQL Server DBA scripts Powershell Scripts for DBA Calculate SQL row size How to fix systemoutofmemoryexception when using-ssms SQL server runnable suspended running status model The transaction log for database is full due to active transaction SQL server find queries causing lock timeouts per second Missing indexes equality and inequality on sysdm_db_missing_index_details SQL server dba checklists How to use xp_readerrorlog parameters to search sql error logs Read more →

Guiding principles for new technologies and database servers

It seems like every day there is a new technology that touches database servers - just today I've discussed : Containers, Kubernetes , Database as a service , automation, paving,PAS, open-source, DevOps , Puppet, managing policies,multi-vendor cloud providers. Some of these I can discuss confidently , others not so much , but this is the sort of complexity DBAs are asked to comprehend \advise \ make decisions. Some of my guiding principles in all these conversations is to understand from a organisational and technology perspective how it all fits together 1) All technologies must be viewed in the context of... Read more →

Astronauts are taught this six-stage decision making process

Being accepted into an astronaut training program is one of the toughest entry processes in the professional world. As part of the entry acceptance process - potential astronaut candidates are subjected to constant testing to expose any weaknesses in pattern recognition, visual memory , working memory and so forth. As part of the astronaut training at the European Space Agency - astronauts are taught a six-stage decision making technique - with an acronym of FORDEC FORDEC stands for: F = Facts O = Options R = Risks D = Decision E = Execute C = Check Seems simple - but... Read more →

How to find the local tcp port used on SQL Server

Question: How can I find the tcp port number used by a session ? I want to use a SQL Query to find this information as I don't have access to the cmdline. Answer: One method to use from within SQL Server is the sys.dm_exec_connections DMV . This SQL Server DMV returns various details about the current connections to a SQL Server Instance. This query returns connections information for all existing connections. One of the columns is the "local_tcp_port" , and when the net_transport is TCP - there will be a value in the "local_tcp_port" SELECT suser_sname() as username ,local_tcp_port... Read more →