[dba-SQLServer] Is it my imagination?

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On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:20:26 -0400, John W. Colby
<jwcolby at colbyconsulting.com> wrote:
> Francisco,
> 
> I appreciate all you assistance in this stuff.  Your patience and knowledge
> are a godsend, and on SUNDAY at that!!!  8-)

thanks, and to think I'm just avoiding yardwork, by staying in a
little later (my excuse is that I don't want to wake the neighbors,
but now it's 930 and i'm gonna have to soon break out w/ my yard boots
:(.

in your program group for Sql Server there is an Icon labeld Query
Analyzer.  It is a very very robust tool.  I like the Sql 2000 version
wich also came out w/ color coding for all the TSQL code, I hear
rumors that the yukon one will also feature intellisense, but I hope
they are not just rumors :D.


 
> So how do I run this backup?  Don't worry, I am heading out to buy a SQL
> Server 2K admin book which will hopefully assist me in all this stuff.  In
> the meantime I need to get this log truncated so that I can start the
> imports back up before I go.
> 
> >BACKUP LOG DBName WITH TRUNCATE ONLY
> 
> Is this run in the SQL query window (as a query)?  Do I need to somewhere
> tell SQL Server where the backup files are going to go?
> 

When you open up Query Analyzer you can hit the F8 key if you don't
already get the object browser poping up in the Left side. If you are
NOT trying to keep your log file shrunk, but just want to keep it from
growing anymore, or for that matter like to maintain it at a smaller
size.  Then I suggest you go via "EM" (Enterprise Manager) right click
the database properties and click on the transaction log tab and
restrict the growth of your transaction log, then you'd want to set up
an alert that would auto-backup/truncate the log to prevent more
growth.  I can repost the instructions on this again if you want to do
this


> >DBCC SHRINKFILE (DBName_Log, 10)
> 
> Do I need to do the shrink?  I am going to continue the import which will
> grow the container again.  Is the space reused if I don't shrink it or is it
> like Access where the file just adds NEW space and ignores old empty space.
> The help seems to indicate that the freed up empty space will be reused.

Since you're going to keep re-using the space and feel comfortable w/
a transaction log that big you can leave it as is, or convert the size
to something more managable.  I can re-post that sample on how to
setup an Alert in Sql Server to auto-backup your transaction log for
this type of task.  also, If you set up a typical BACKUP process for
your database, then the Transaction log and all it's checkpoints are
automatically cleared.  The fact that it has not been happening on
it's own right now suggests that you have not gotten to the point
where you've backed the database up.

> While I have your attention...
> 
> The following is what I see in the BOL for truncate.
> 
> Truncate Method
> The Truncate method archive-marks transaction log records.
> 
> Applies ToTransactionLog Object
> 
> Syntax
> object.Truncate( )
> 
> Parts
> object
> 
> Expression that evaluates to an object in the Applies To list
> 
> How do I "call" this code.  It appears that object is an object to be called
> from code.  Can I do this from Access (since that is my comfort zone)?  Do I
> have to reference this thing somehow.  IOW What the h&^% is this and how do
> I use it?  I am an accomplished programmer (or like to think so) but I
> haven't a clue how to get started with this stuff.
> 

It's what's known as SQL-DMO code.  You add the sql-dmo refrence to
your Access Project (MDB or ADP) and proceed to use it in code as
such.  If you have not downloaded the Books OnLine SP3, you ought to
there is some revised samples and such that will help you
tremendously...

also a TIP, yes a TIP since you stuck w/ the thread till the bottom of
the email ;-) When using QA (Query Analyzer) and require help on a
keyword simply highlight or put your cursor over the keyword and hit
CTRL+F1 and BOL (Books online) will automatically open up w/ a
pre-search to that keyword.


-- 
-Francisco