Method to How to Enable SQL Server Query Logging?
Method 1: SQL Server Profiler
SQL Server Profiler is a graphical tool provided by Microsoft for monitoring events occurring in SQL Server. It allows you to create traces to capture SQL Server events, including queries.
Example:
- Launch SQL Server Profiler from SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
- Connect to the SQL Server instance.
- Create a new trace.
- Select events to capture (e.g., SQL:BatchCompleted).
- Start the trace.
Output:
EventClass | TextData | LoginName | StartTime |
---|---|---|---|
SQL:BatchCompleted | SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE Country=’USA’ | UserA | 2024-04-30 10:00:00 |
SQL:BatchCompleted | INSERT INTO Orders (…) VALUES (…) | UserB | 2024-04-30 10:01:00 |
Explanation: The output shows the event class, query text (TextData), user login name (LoginName), and the start time of each query execution. This information helps administrators analyze the queries executed on their SQL Server.
Method 2: Extended Events
Extended Events is a tool which is introduced in SQL Server 2008 for monitoring performance. It provides a more efficient and flexible way to capture events compared to SQL Server Profiler.
Example:
- Now we will open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and connect to our SQL Server.
- Create a new Extended Events session.
- Specify events to capture (e.g., sql_batch_completed).
- Start the session.
Output
EventType | EventData |
---|---|
sql_batch_completed | SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE Country=’USA’ |
sql_batch_completed | INSERT INTO Orders (…) VALUES (…) |
Explanation: The output shows the event type and event data for each query executed. This information can be used for performance tuning and troubleshooting purposes
Method 3: Server-Side Tracing
Server-Side Tracing is another method to capture SQL Server events. It involves creating a trace definition script and running it on the server.
Example:
-- Create trace definition
DECLARE @traceID INT;
EXEC sp_trace_create @traceID OUTPUT, 0, N'C:\Temp\QueryTrace', 2;
-- Set trace events
EXEC sp_trace_setevent @traceID, 10, 1, 1;
EXEC sp_trace_setevent @traceID, 10, 12, 1;
-- Start the trace
EXEC sp_trace_setstatus @traceID, 1;
Output:
TextData | LoginName | StartTime |
---|---|---|
SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE Country=’USA’ | UserA | 2024-04-30 10:00:00 |
INSERT INTO Orders (…) VALUES (…) | UserB | 2024-04-30 10:01:00 |
Explanation: The output shows the query text (TextData), user login name (LoginName), and the start time of each query execution. This method allows administrators to capture query information for analysis
How to Enable SQL Server Query Logging?
In the domain of database management, the SQL query is found to be very helpful in improving performance, safety, and diagnosing problems. The query logging SQL Server provides help in that administrators of database servers can view and analyze the queries executed against their servers.
Query logging will give us information such as users‘ habits in accessing the database, detecting inefficient queries, and detecting unauthorized access attempts. In this article, we will learn about How to enable SQL Server query logging and their process to activate the logging of SQL Server queries.
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