Skip to main content

Clearing SQL Server Log Files (ldf)

Often I'm asked by collaborating agencies and organizations for a copy of our databases.  True, I could do an export and give them just the tables, but I'm just making work for them.  The easiest solution would be to export the SQL Server database with all the data types, rules, triggers, views and stored procedures.

What's the problem?  Log files on my databases are at least several hundred megabytes if not gigabytes.  One option is it simply send them the mdf and ask them to attach the mdf and in SQL Server 2008 if you delete the ldf reference in the attach dialog it will auto-create one.  If you want to include the ldf to avoid the conversation or have other reasons to reduce the log file it gets a little more complicated because if transaction logging is enabled the simple dropdowns won't do squat.

Compacting a log file for database YOURDB:

  1. Start a new query
  2. Enter the following:
    -- Set the database to manipulate
    Use YOURDB;
    go
    -- Truncate the log by changing the
    -- database recovery model to SIMPLE
    alter database YOURDB
    Set recovery simple;
    go
    -- Compress the log file using shrinkfile 
    --([filename w/o extension], [megabytes for new size])
    --    OR  
    --([filename w/o extension], EMPTYFILE)  - to empty log file
    dbcc shrinkfile (YOURDB_Log, 1);
    go
    -- Reset recovery mode to full transactions.
    alter database YOURDB
    Set recovery full;
    Go
    
  3. Done!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Auto Format (and Color) Outlook Appointments

A few years ago I got turned on to the idea of indexing your life by color. In a quick glance your mind can comprehend really complex patterns. By coloring entries in my calendar I am able to tell immediately if I am available or if a future appointment conflicts with a work meeting. There are a number of ways to set this up. Outlook allows you to add a label to every appointment. However this is an Outlook specific feature and I sync my calendar across Outlook, Yahoo! and iCalendar. The later two don't even have labels. Besides, calendars should be simple. Complexity only hinders usability, so I prefer an automated solution. How to color appointments in Outlook automatically: In Calendar, right-click the calendar grid, and then click Automatic Formatting on the shortcut menu. Click Add, and then type a name for the rule. In the Label list, click a color. Click Condition to specify the conditions under which the color will be applied. Note: If you manually assign a color to a

Attachment Reminder - and more for MS Outlook

I just did it again. We don't like to admit it, but we all have. You write a long letter describing the attachment, press send and then 10 seconds later remember you didn't actually attach the message. I finally decided to do something about it. Turns out it isn't too hard. Chiefly because Jimmy Peña at Code for Excel and Outlook already did all the hard work of writing up an excellent MS Outlook Etiquette Check Macro that does all the dirty work for you. What's left for you to do? In MS Outlook go to Tools > Macros > Visual Basic Editor Under the Project Panel (far left) Browse to Project1 > Microsoft Office Outlook Objects > ThisOutlookSession Double-click ThisOutlookSesson to Open (if you haven't been here before this will be a big blank canvas) Visit Code for Excel and Outlook Etiquette Check Code and select "Copy to Clipboard" at the top of the code. Or you can also copy from the code I've modified below if you prefer.

Simple HTTP Redirect with Querystring in IIS7

HTTP Redirect seems simple enough. Always was in IIS6 and in IIS7 there's even a button labeled HTTP Redirect that promises relative redirects.  It looks like it'll be as easy Apache finally.  That is until you try to redirect a querystring.  Then everything bombs. Turns out it still is relatively easy, except you have to know that Microsoft changed $S$Q to $V$Q. Why? $Ss and $Gs I suspect. And How. In our example we'll redirect all pages under http://olddomain.com/content to http://mydomain.com/content. Pick the virtual directory you want to redirect. e.g. http://olddomain.com/content Click HTTP Redirect under IIS in the IIS management console. In the HTTP Redirect Dialog: Check Redirect requests to this destination Enter your new path ending with $V$Q.  e.g. http://mydomain.com$V$Q Counter-intuitively check Redirect all request to exact destination (instead of relative destination) Choose the appropriate Status Code (Permanent or Temporary)