T-SQL Drop all tables - sql-server

I am trying to drop all tables in a database without having to do it in the proper order. From what I have read running the NOCHECK command will prevent foreign keys from being checked. However, even after running that I still get an error trying to drop the first table.
Could not drop object 'dbo.TABLENAME' because it is referenced by
a FOREIGN KEY constraint
I have seen this question answered successfully before so I don't understand what is different with what I am doing. This is running on SQL Server 2008 R2.
BEGIN TRANSACTION
--get current list of tables
SELECT QUOTENAME(s.NAME) + '.' + QUOTENAME(t.NAME) as 'Dropped Table'
FROM sys.tables t
JOIN sys.schemas s
ON t.[schema_id] = s.[schema_id]
WHERE t.type = 'U'
--disable constraint checking in all tables
DECLARE #sql NVARCHAR(max)
SET #sql = ''
SELECT #sql += ' ALTER TABLE ' + QUOTENAME(s.NAME) + '.' + QUOTENAME(t.NAME) + ' NOCHECK CONSTRAINT ALL; '
FROM sys.tables t
JOIN sys.schemas s
ON t.[schema_id] = s.[schema_id]
WHERE t.type = 'U'
select #sql
Exec sp_executesql #sql
--disable all constraints (this also didn't work)
--EXEC sp_MSforeachtable "ALTER TABLE ? NOCHECK CONSTRAINT all"
--drop all tables
SET #sql = ''
SELECT #sql += ' DROP TABLE ' + QUOTENAME(s.NAME) + '.' + QUOTENAME(t.NAME) + '; '
FROM sys.tables t
JOIN sys.schemas s
ON t.[schema_id] = s.[schema_id]
WHERE t.type = 'U'
select #sql
Exec sp_executesql #sql
--check current list, should be empty
SELECT QUOTENAME(s.NAME) + '.' + QUOTENAME(t.NAME) as 'Tables'
FROM sys.tables t
JOIN sys.schemas s
ON t.[schema_id] = s.[schema_id]
WHERE t.type = 'U'
ROLLBACK TRANSACTION
Update 1
I removed the constraint disabling code in place of constraint dropping code but it gives and error.
--drop all constraints
DECLARE #sql NVARCHAR(max)
SET #sql = ''
SELECT #sql += ' ALTER TABLE ' +QUOTENAME(s.NAME) + '.' + QUOTENAME(t.NAME) + ' DROP CONSTRAINT ' + ctu.CONSTRAINT_NAME + ';'
FROM sys.tables t
JOIN sys.schemas s
ON t.[schema_id] = s.[schema_id]
INNER JOIN EOS_DEV.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.CONSTRAINT_TABLE_USAGE as ctu
ON ctu.TABLE_SCHEMA = s.name AND ctu.TABLE_NAME = t.name
WHERE t.type = 'U'
Exec sp_executesql #sql
The constraint '[CONSTRAINT_NAME]' is being referenced by table
'[TABLE_NAME]', foreign key constraint '[FK_NAME]'
How can I modify this query so I only target FK constraints?

Thanks everyone for your help. I updated my query and can now confirm that it has the ability to drop all tables indiscriminately. I also added a section to drop all stored procs for a little added flavor.
BEGIN TRANSACTION
--get current list of tables
SELECT QUOTENAME(s.NAME) + '.' + QUOTENAME(t.NAME) as 'Dropped Table'
FROM sys.tables t
JOIN sys.schemas s
ON t.[schema_id] = s.[schema_id]
WHERE t.type = 'U'
--drop all constraints
DECLARE #sql NVARCHAR(max)
SET #sql = ''
SELECT #sql += ' ALTER TABLE ' +QUOTENAME(s.NAME) + '.' + QUOTENAME(t.NAME) + ' DROP CONSTRAINT ' + tc.CONSTRAINT_NAME + ';'
FROM sys.tables t
JOIN sys.schemas s
ON t.[schema_id] = s.[schema_id]
INNER JOIN EOS_DEV.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLE_CONSTRAINTS as tc
ON tc.TABLE_SCHEMA = s.name AND tc.TABLE_NAME = t.name
WHERE t.type = 'U'
AND tc.CONSTRAINT_TYPE = 'FOREIGN KEY'
Exec sp_executesql #sql
--drop all tables
SET #sql = ''
SELECT #sql += ' DROP TABLE ' + QUOTENAME(s.NAME) + '.' + QUOTENAME(t.NAME) + '; '
FROM sys.tables t
JOIN sys.schemas s
ON t.[schema_id] = s.[schema_id]
WHERE t.type = 'U'
Exec sp_executesql #sql
--drop all stored procs
SET #sql = ''
SELECT #sql += 'DROP PROCEDURE [' + SCHEMA_NAME(p.schema_id) + '].[' + p.NAME + ']'
FROM sys.procedures as p
where p.is_ms_shipped = 0
AND p.type = 'P'
Exec sp_executesql #sql
ROLLBACK TRANSACTION

Setting a FK to NOCHECK will allow you to INSERT,UPDATE, or DELETE rows that would violate the constraint. It will not allow you to DROP or TRUNCATE the target table.
EG:
use tempdb
create table a(id int primary key)
create table b(id int primary key, aid int references a)
alter table b nocheck constraint all
insert into b(id,aid) values (1,1) --succeeds because of nocheck
drop table a --fails
--Msg 3726, Level 16, State 1, Line 11
--Could not drop object 'a' because it is referenced by a FOREIGN KEY constraint.

Do you have to make this so difficult? Why not just restore an empty database (or a database that contains just your schema and whatever "default" rows are needed)?

Related

how to create default constraint for each table

I have around 150 tables in my database and now I need to add a column constraint(InsertedOn) on to each and every table with a default value of GetDate()
I have tried below code to accomplish the task
exec sp_msforeachtable 'ALTER TABLE ? ADD CONSTRAINT DF_InsertedOn DEFAULT GetDate() FOR [InsertedOn]';
But my problem is constraint name,The above code fails when its trying to create the constraint for the second table since the name of the constraint in use
Is there any way to accomplish the task using the same sp_msforeachtable ?
Thank you.
Try this one -
DECLARE #SQL NVARCHAR(MAX)
SELECT #SQL = STUFF((
SELECT CHAR(13) + 'ALTER TABLE [' + s.name + '].[' + o.name + ']
ADD [InsertedOn] DATETIME NOT NULL CONSTRAINT [DF_' + o.name + '_InsertedOn] DEFAULT GETDATE()'
FROM sys.objects o WITH (NOWAIT)
JOIN sys.schemas s WITH (NOWAIT) ON o.[schema_id] = s.[schema_id]
WHERE NOT EXISTS(
SELECT 1
FROM sys.columns c WITH (NOWAIT)
WHERE c.[object_id] = o.[object_id]
AND c.name = 'InsertedOn'
)
AND o.[type] = 'U'
FOR XML PATH(''), TYPE).value('.', 'NVARCHAR(MAX)'), 1, 1, '')
PRINT #SQL
EXEC sys.sp_executesql #SQL
Output -
ALTER TABLE [tt].[t1]
ADD [InsertedOn] DATETIME NOT NULL CONSTRAINT [DF_t1_InsertedOn] DEFAULT GETDATE()
ALTER TABLE [tt].[t2]
ADD [InsertedOn] DATETIME NOT NULL CONSTRAINT [DF_t2_InsertedOn] DEFAULT GETDATE()
To generate scrips you can use this code. It uses system views sys.tables, sys.schemas and sys.columns
DECLARE #ColumnName VARCHAR(100) = 'InsertedOn'
SELECT
'ALTER TABLE ' + s.name + '.' + t.name +
' ADD CONSTRAINT DF_' + t.name + '_' + #ColumnName +
' DEFAULT GetDate() FOR ' + #ColumnName
FROM sys.tables t
JOIN sys.schemas s ON s.schema_id = t.schema_id
WHERE EXISTS (
SELECT *
FROM sys.columns c
WHERE c.object_id = t.object_id
AND name = #ColumnName
)

updateing all Foreign key constraint in sql server?

I have a database in sql server 2008 R2 that have many table (over 200) and have many relation betweens tables.
Delete rule in most of relations is No Action
I need to Update all relation delete rule to Cascade at once
Because of too many relation in my database I dont want do this one by one
Is there any way ?
Typically, when you ALTER a Foreign key constraint, using the SSMS GUI, SQL Server on the background actually drops and recreates the same.
Here is a script, that will generate the SQL for dropping all FKeys and recreating them with ON UPDATE CASCADE ON DELETE CASCADE options
Assumption is, all your FKeys are name "FK....."
SET NOCOUNT ON;
DECLARE #Objects TABLE
(
ID int identity(1,1),
TableName sysname,
SchemaName sysname
)
INSERT INTO #Objects (TableName, SchemaName)
SELECT
TABLE_NAME,
CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.KEY_COLUMN_USAGE
WHERE CONSTRAINT_NAME LIKE 'FK%'
DECLARE #min int, #max int,#table sysname,#schema sysname
SELECT #min = 1, #max = MAX(ID) FROM #Objects
WHILE #min <=#max
BEGIN
SELECT
#table = TableName,#schema = SchemaName FROM #Objects WHERE ID = #min
print '/*Drop Foreign Key Statements for [' + #schema + '].[' + #table + ']*/'
SELECT
'ALTER TABLE [' + SCHEMA_NAME(o.schema_id) + '].[' + o.name + ']
DROP CONSTRAINT [' + fk.name + ']'
FROM sys.foreign_keys fk
INNER JOIN sys.objects o
ON fk.parent_object_id = o.object_id
WHERE o.name = #table AND
SCHEMA_NAME(o.schema_id) = #schema
print '/*Create Foreign Key Statements for ['
+ #schema + '].[' + #table + ']*/'
SELECT
'ALTER TABLE [' + SCHEMA_NAME(o.schema_id) + '].[' + o.name + ']
ADD CONSTRAINT [' + fk.name + '] FOREIGN KEY ([' + c.name + '])
REFERENCES [' + SCHEMA_NAME(refob.schema_id) + '].[' + refob.name + ']
([' + refcol.name + '])ON UPDATE CASCADE ON DELETE CASCADE'
FROM sys.foreign_key_columns fkc
INNER JOIN sys.foreign_keys fk
ON fkc.constraint_object_id = fk.object_id
INNER JOIN sys.objects o
ON fk.parent_object_id = o.object_id
INNER JOIN sys.columns c
ON fkc.parent_column_id = c.column_id AND
o.object_id = c.object_id
INNER JOIN sys.objects refob
ON fkc.referenced_object_id = refob.object_id
INNER JOIN sys.columns refcol
ON fkc.referenced_column_id = refcol.column_id AND
fkc.referenced_object_id = refcol.object_id
WHERE o.name = #table AND
SCHEMA_NAME(o.schema_id) = #schema
SET #min = #min+1
END
Hope this helps.
Raj
PS: Setting query output to text helps. Also please read the comment posted on your question. Arbitrarily setting CASCADE may not be the right thing to do

How can I drop a table if there is a foreign key constraint in SQL Server?

I have the following:
DROP TABLE [dbo].[ExtraUserInformation];
DROP TABLE [dbo].[UserProfile];
DROP TABLE [dbo].[webpages_Membership];
DROP TABLE [dbo].[webpages_OAuthMembership];
DROP TABLE [dbo].[webpages_Roles];
DROP TABLE [dbo].[webpages_UsersInRoles];
CREATE TABLE [dbo].[ExtraUserInformation] (
[Id] INT IDENTITY (1, 1) NOT NULL,
[UserId] INT NOT NULL,
[FullName] NVARCHAR (MAX) NULL,
[Link] NVARCHAR (MAX) NULL,
[Verified] BIT NULL,
CONSTRAINT [PK_dbo.ExtraUserInformation] PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED ([Id] ASC)
);
CREATE TABLE [dbo].[webpages_UsersInRoles] (
[UserId] INT NOT NULL,
[RoleId] INT NOT NULL,
PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED ([UserId] ASC, [RoleId] ASC),
CONSTRAINT [fk_UserId] FOREIGN KEY ([UserId]) REFERENCES [dbo].[UserProfile] ([UserId]),
CONSTRAINT [fk_RoleId] FOREIGN KEY ([RoleId]) REFERENCES [dbo].[webpages_Roles] ([RoleId])
);
However this is failing with a message saying:
Msg 3726, Level 16, State 1, Line 6
Could not drop object 'dbo.UserProfile' because it is referenced by a FOREIGN KEY constraint.
Msg 3726, Level 16, State 1, Line 9
Could not drop object 'dbo.webpages_Roles' because it is referenced by a FOREIGN KEY constraint.
Msg 2714, Level 16, State 6, Line 27
There is already an object named 'UserProfile' in the database.
Checking identity information: current identity value 'NULL', current column value 'NULL'.
DBCC execution completed. If DBCC printed error messages, contact your system administrator.
How can I drop a table in these circumstances?
You must drop the constraint before you can drop the table. Otherwise its rule violation that could break the databases Referential Integrity.
How to get foreign key relationships see this old question.
SQL DROP TABLE foreign key constraint
1-firstly, drop the foreign key constraint after that drop the tables.
2-you can drop all foreign key via executing the following query:
DECLARE #SQL varchar(4000)=''
SELECT #SQL =
#SQL + 'ALTER TABLE ' + s.name+'.'+t.name + ' DROP CONSTRAINT [' + RTRIM(f.name) +'];' + CHAR(13)
FROM sys.Tables t
INNER JOIN sys.foreign_keys f ON f.parent_object_id = t.object_id
INNER JOIN sys.schemas s ON s.schema_id = f.schema_id
--EXEC (#SQL)
PRINT #SQL
if you execute the printed results #SQL, the foreign keys will be dropped.
The Best Answer to dropping the table containing foreign constraints is :
Step 1 : Drop the Primary key of the table.
Step 2 : Now it will prompt whether to delete all the foreign references or not.
Step 3 : Delete the table.
To drop a table if there is a foreign key constraint in MySQL Server?
Run the sql query:
SET FOREIGN_KEY_CHECKS = 0;
DROP TABLE table_name
Hope it helps!
--Find and drop the constraints
DECLARE #dynamicSQL VARCHAR(MAX)
DECLARE MY_CURSOR CURSOR
LOCAL STATIC READ_ONLY FORWARD_ONLY
FOR
SELECT dynamicSQL = 'ALTER TABLE [' + OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(parent_object_id) + '].[' + OBJECT_NAME(parent_object_id) + '] DROP CONSTRAINT [' + name + ']'
FROM sys.foreign_keys
WHERE object_name(referenced_object_id) in ('table1', 'table2', 'table3')
OPEN MY_CURSOR
FETCH NEXT FROM MY_CURSOR INTO #dynamicSQL
WHILE ##FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
PRINT #dynamicSQL
EXEC (#dynamicSQL)
FETCH NEXT FROM MY_CURSOR INTO #dynamicSQL
END
CLOSE MY_CURSOR
DEALLOCATE MY_CURSOR
-- Drop tables
DROP 'table1'
DROP 'table2'
DROP 'table3'
You have to drop the constraint before drop your table.
You can use those queries to find all FKs in your table and find the FKs in the tables in which your table is used.
Declare #SchemaName VarChar(200) = 'Your Schema name'
Declare #TableName VarChar(200) = 'Your Table Name'
-- Find FK in This table.
SELECT
' IF EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.foreign_keys WHERE object_id =
OBJECT_ID(N''' +
'[' + OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(FK.parent_object_id) + '].[' + FK.name + ']'
+ ''') AND parent_object_id = OBJECT_ID(N''' +
'[' + OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(FK.parent_object_id) + '].[' +
OBJECT_NAME(FK.parent_object_id) + ']' + ''')) ' +
'ALTER TABLE ' + OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(FK.parent_object_id) +
'.[' + OBJECT_NAME(FK.parent_object_id) +
'] DROP CONSTRAINT ' + FK.name
, S.name , O.name, OBJECT_NAME(FK.parent_object_id)
FROM sys.foreign_keys AS FK
INNER JOIN Sys.objects As O
ON (O.object_id = FK.parent_object_id )
INNER JOIN SYS.schemas AS S
ON (O.schema_id = S.schema_id)
WHERE
O.name = #TableName
And S.name = #SchemaName
-- Find the FKs in the tables in which this table is used
SELECT
' IF EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.foreign_keys WHERE object_id =
OBJECT_ID(N''' +
'[' + OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(FK.parent_object_id) + '].[' + FK.name + ']'
+ ''') AND parent_object_id = OBJECT_ID(N''' +
'[' + OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(FK.parent_object_id) + '].[' +
OBJECT_NAME(FK.parent_object_id) + ']' + ''')) ' +
' ALTER TABLE ' + OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(FK.parent_object_id) +
'.[' + OBJECT_NAME(FK.parent_object_id) +
'] DROP CONSTRAINT ' + FK.name
, S.name , O.name, OBJECT_NAME(FK.parent_object_id)
FROM sys.foreign_keys AS FK
INNER JOIN Sys.objects As O
ON (O.object_id = FK.referenced_object_id )
INNER JOIN SYS.schemas AS S
ON (O.schema_id = S.schema_id)
WHERE
O.name = #TableName
And S.name = #SchemaName
BhupeshC and murat , this is what I was looking for. However #SQL varchar(4000) wasn't big enough. So, small change
DECLARE #cmd varchar(4000)
DECLARE MY_CURSOR CURSOR
LOCAL STATIC READ_ONLY FORWARD_ONLY
FOR
select 'ALTER TABLE ['+s.name+'].['+t.name+'] DROP CONSTRAINT [' + RTRIM(f.name) +'];' FROM sys.Tables t INNER JOIN sys.foreign_keys f ON f.parent_object_id = t.object_id INNER JOIN sys.schemas s ON s.schema_id = f.schema_id
OPEN MY_CURSOR
FETCH NEXT FROM MY_CURSOR INTO #cmd
WHILE ##FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
-- EXEC (#cmd)
PRINT #cmd
FETCH NEXT FROM MY_CURSOR INTO #cmd
END
CLOSE MY_CURSOR
DEALLOCATE MY_CURSOR
GO
Re removing constraints and dropping the tables, this script can get all constraints for a selected list of tables and then drop the constraints and then delete the tables.
DECLARE #id INT
DECLARE #strSQL NVARCHAR(max)
DECLARE #deleteCurser CURSOR
DECLARE #deleteTableCurser CURSOR
declare #SelectedTables table ([name] sysname, [object_id] int)
Insert into #SelectedTables ([name], [object_id])
SELECT t.name, t.object_id
FROM sys.Tables t
where t.name in
-- Change Name of tables here
('table1','table2','table100')
SET #deleteTableCurser = CURSOR FOR
SELECT strSQL =
'ALTER TABLE ' + s.name+'.'+t.name + ' DROP CONSTRAINT [' + RTRIM(f.name) +'];'
FROM #SelectedTables t
INNER JOIN sys.foreign_keys f ON f.parent_object_id = t.object_id
INNER JOIN sys.schemas s ON s.schema_id = f.schema_id
OPEN #deleteTableCurser
FETCH Next
FROM #deleteTableCurser INTO #strSQL
WHILE ##FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
print(#strSQL)
EXEC (#strSQL)
FETCH NEXT
FROM #deleteTableCurser INTO #strSQL
END
CLOSE #deleteTableCurser
DEALLOCATE #deleteTableCurser
SET #deleteCurser = CURSOR FOR
SELECT strSQL = 'DROP TABLE ['+ t.name+ '];'
FROM #SelectedTables t
OPEN #deleteCurser
FETCH Next
FROM #deleteCurser INTO #strSQL
WHILE ##FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
print(#strSQL)
EXEC (#strSQL)
FETCH NEXT
FROM #deleteCurser INTO #strSQL
END
CLOSE #deleteCurser
DEALLOCATE #deleteCurser
Type this .... SET foreign_key_checks = 0;
delete your table then type SET foreign_key_checks = 1;
MySQL – Temporarily disable Foreign Key Checks or Constraints

Temporarily disable all foreign key constraints

I am running an SSIS package which will replace data for a few tables from FlatFiles to existing tables in a database.
My package will truncate the tables and then insert the new data. When I run my SSIS package, I get an exception because of the foreign keys.
Can I disable the constraints, run my import, then re-enable them?
To disable foreign key constraints:
DECLARE #sql nvarchar(max) = N'';
;WITH x AS
(
SELECT DISTINCT obj =
QUOTENAME(OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(parent_object_id)) + '.'
+ QUOTENAME(OBJECT_NAME(parent_object_id))
FROM sys.foreign_keys
)
SELECT #sql += N'ALTER TABLE ' + obj + N' NOCHECK CONSTRAINT ALL;
' FROM x;
EXEC sys.sp_executesql #sql;
To re-enable:
DECLARE #sql nvarchar(max) = N'';
;WITH x AS
(
SELECT DISTINCT obj =
QUOTENAME(OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(parent_object_id)) + '.'
+ QUOTENAME(OBJECT_NAME(parent_object_id))
FROM sys.foreign_keys
)
SELECT #sql += N'ALTER TABLE ' + obj + N' WITH CHECK CHECK CONSTRAINT ALL;
' FROM x;
EXEC sys.sp_executesql #sql;
However, you will not be able to truncate the tables, you will have to delete from them in the right order. If you need to truncate them, you need to drop the constraints entirely, and re-create them. This is simple to do if your foreign key constraints are all simple, single-column constraints, but definitely more complex if there are multiple columns involved.
Here is something you can try. In order to make this a part of your SSIS package you'll need a place to store the FK definitions while the SSIS package runs (you won't be able to do this all in one script). So in some utility database, create a table:
CREATE TABLE dbo.PostCommand(cmd nvarchar(max));
Then in your database, you can have a stored procedure that does this:
DELETE other_database.dbo.PostCommand;
DECLARE #sql nvarchar(max) = N'';
SELECT #sql += N'ALTER TABLE '
+ QUOTENAME(OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(fk.parent_object_id))
+ '.' + QUOTENAME(OBJECT_NAME(fk.parent_object_id))
+ ' ADD CONSTRAINT ' + fk.name + ' FOREIGN KEY ('
+ STUFF((SELECT ',' + c.name
FROM sys.columns AS c
INNER JOIN sys.foreign_key_columns AS fkc
ON fkc.parent_column_id = c.column_id
AND fkc.parent_object_id = c.[object_id]
WHERE fkc.constraint_object_id = fk.[object_id]
ORDER BY fkc.constraint_column_id
FOR XML PATH(''),
TYPE).value(N'./text()[1]', 'nvarchar(max)'), 1, 1, N'')
+ ') REFERENCES ' +
QUOTENAME(OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(fk.referenced_object_id))
+ '.' + QUOTENAME(OBJECT_NAME(fk.referenced_object_id))
+ '(' +
STUFF((SELECT ',' + c.name
FROM sys.columns AS c
INNER JOIN sys.foreign_key_columns AS fkc
ON fkc.referenced_column_id = c.column_id
AND fkc.referenced_object_id = c.[object_id]
WHERE fkc.constraint_object_id = fk.[object_id]
ORDER BY fkc.constraint_column_id
FOR XML PATH(''),
TYPE).value(N'./text()[1]', N'nvarchar(max)'), 1, 1, N'') + ');
' FROM sys.foreign_keys AS fk
WHERE OBJECTPROPERTY(parent_object_id, 'IsMsShipped') = 0;
INSERT other_database.dbo.PostCommand(cmd) SELECT #sql;
IF ##ROWCOUNT = 1
BEGIN
SET #sql = N'';
SELECT #sql += N'ALTER TABLE ' + QUOTENAME(OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(fk.parent_object_id))
+ '.' + QUOTENAME(OBJECT_NAME(fk.parent_object_id))
+ ' DROP CONSTRAINT ' + fk.name + ';
' FROM sys.foreign_keys AS fk;
EXEC sys.sp_executesql #sql;
END
Now when your SSIS package is finished, it should call a different stored procedure, which does:
DECLARE #sql nvarchar(max);
SELECT #sql = cmd FROM other_database.dbo.PostCommand;
EXEC sys.sp_executesql #sql;
If you're doing all of this just for the sake of being able to truncate instead of delete, I suggest just taking the hit and running a delete. Maybe use bulk-logged recovery model to minimize the impact of the log. In general I don't see how this solution will be all that much faster than just using a delete in the right order.
In 2014 I published a more elaborate post about this here:
Drop and Re-Create All Foreign Key Constraints in SQL Server
Use the built-in sp_msforeachtable stored procedure.
To disable all constraints:
EXEC sp_msforeachtable "ALTER TABLE ? NOCHECK CONSTRAINT ALL";
To enable all constraints:
EXEC sp_msforeachtable "ALTER TABLE ? WITH CHECK CHECK CONSTRAINT ALL";
To drop all the tables:
EXEC sp_msforeachtable "DROP TABLE ?";
A good reference is given at : http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc163442.aspx
under the section "Disabling All Foreign Keys"
Inspired from it, an approach can be made by creating a temporary table and inserting the constraints in that table, and then dropping the constraints and then reapplying them from that temporary table. Enough said here is what i am talking about
SET NOCOUNT ON
DECLARE #temptable TABLE(
Id INT PRIMARY KEY IDENTITY(1, 1),
FKConstraintName VARCHAR(255),
FKConstraintTableSchema VARCHAR(255),
FKConstraintTableName VARCHAR(255),
FKConstraintColumnName VARCHAR(255),
PKConstraintName VARCHAR(255),
PKConstraintTableSchema VARCHAR(255),
PKConstraintTableName VARCHAR(255),
PKConstraintColumnName VARCHAR(255)
)
INSERT INTO #temptable(FKConstraintName, FKConstraintTableSchema, FKConstraintTableName, FKConstraintColumnName)
SELECT
KeyColumnUsage.CONSTRAINT_NAME,
KeyColumnUsage.TABLE_SCHEMA,
KeyColumnUsage.TABLE_NAME,
KeyColumnUsage.COLUMN_NAME
FROM
INFORMATION_SCHEMA.KEY_COLUMN_USAGE KeyColumnUsage
INNER JOIN INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLE_CONSTRAINTS TableConstraints
ON KeyColumnUsage.CONSTRAINT_NAME = TableConstraints.CONSTRAINT_NAME
WHERE
TableConstraints.CONSTRAINT_TYPE = 'FOREIGN KEY'
UPDATE #temptable SET
PKConstraintName = UNIQUE_CONSTRAINT_NAME
FROM
#temptable tt
INNER JOIN INFORMATION_SCHEMA.REFERENTIAL_CONSTRAINTS ReferentialConstraint
ON tt.FKConstraintName = ReferentialConstraint.CONSTRAINT_NAME
UPDATE #temptable SET
PKConstraintTableSchema = TABLE_SCHEMA,
PKConstraintTableName = TABLE_NAME
FROM #temptable tt
INNER JOIN INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLE_CONSTRAINTS TableConstraints
ON tt.PKConstraintName = TableConstraints.CONSTRAINT_NAME
UPDATE #temptable SET
PKConstraintColumnName = COLUMN_NAME
FROM #temptable tt
INNER JOIN INFORMATION_SCHEMA.KEY_COLUMN_USAGE KeyColumnUsage
ON tt.PKConstraintName = KeyColumnUsage.CONSTRAINT_NAME
--Now to drop constraint:
SELECT
'
ALTER TABLE [' + FKConstraintTableSchema + '].[' + FKConstraintTableName + ']
DROP CONSTRAINT ' + FKConstraintName + '
GO'
FROM
#temptable
--Finally to add constraint:
SELECT
'
ALTER TABLE [' + FKConstraintTableSchema + '].[' + FKConstraintTableName + ']
ADD CONSTRAINT ' + FKConstraintName + ' FOREIGN KEY(' + FKConstraintColumnName + ') REFERENCES [' + PKConstraintTableSchema + '].[' + PKConstraintTableName + '](' + PKConstraintColumnName + ')
GO'
FROM
#temptable
GO
There is an easy way to this.
-- Disable all the constraint in database
EXEC sp_msforeachtable 'ALTER TABLE ? NOCHECK CONSTRAINT all'
-- Enable all the constraint in database
EXEC sp_msforeachtable 'ALTER TABLE ? WITH CHECK CHECK CONSTRAINT all'
Reference SQL SERVER – Disable All the Foreign Key Constraint in Database – Enable All the Foreign Key Constraint in Database
Disable all table constraints
ALTER TABLE TableName NOCHECK CONSTRAINT ConstraintName
-- Enable all table constraints
ALTER TABLE TableName CHECK CONSTRAINT ConstraintName
In case you use a different database schemas than ".dbo" or your db is containing Pk´s, which are composed by several fields, please don´t use the the solution of Carter Medlin, otherwise you will damage your db!!!
When you are working with different schemas try this (don´t forget to make a backup of your database before!):
DECLARE #sql AS NVARCHAR(max)=''
select #sql = #sql +
'ALTER INDEX ALL ON ' + SCHEMA_NAME( t.schema_id) +'.'+ '['+ t.[name] + '] DISABLE;'+CHAR(13)
from
sys.tables t
where type='u'
select #sql = #sql +
'ALTER INDEX ' + i.[name] + ' ON ' + SCHEMA_NAME( t.schema_id) +'.'+'[' + t.[name] + '] REBUILD;'+CHAR(13)
from
sys.key_constraints i
join
sys.tables t on i.parent_object_id=t.object_id
where i.type='PK'
exec dbo.sp_executesql #sql;
go
After doing some Fk-free actions, you can switch back with
DECLARE #sql AS NVARCHAR(max)=''
select #sql = #sql +
'ALTER INDEX ALL ON ' + SCHEMA_NAME( t.schema_id) +'.'+'[' + t.[name] + '] REBUILD;'+CHAR(13)
from
sys.tables t
where type='u'
print #sql
exec dbo.sp_executesql #sql;
exec sp_msforeachtable "ALTER TABLE ? WITH NOCHECK CHECK CONSTRAINT ALL";
not need to run queries to sidable FKs on sql. If you have a FK from table A to B, you should:
delete data from table A
delete data from table B
insert data on B
insert data on A
You can also tell the destination not to check constraints
Truncating the table wont be possible even if you disable the foreign keys.so you can use
delete command to remove all the records from the table,but be aware if you are using delete
command for a table which consists of millions of records then your package will be slow
and your transaction log size will increase and it may fill up your valuable disk space.
If you drop the constraints it may happen that you will fill up your table with unclean data
and when you try to recreate the constraints it may not allow you to as it will give errors.
so make sure that if you drop the constraints,you are loading data which are correctly related to each other and satisfy the constraint relations which you are going to recreate.
so please carefully think the pros and cons of each method and use it according to your requirements
Disable all indexes (including the pk, which will disable all fks), then reenable the pks.
DECLARE #sql AS NVARCHAR(max)=''
select #sql = #sql +
'ALTER INDEX ALL ON [' + t.[name] + '] DISABLE;'+CHAR(13)
from
sys.tables t
where type='u'
select #sql = #sql +
'ALTER INDEX ' + i.[name] + ' ON [' + t.[name] + '] REBUILD;'+CHAR(13)
from
sys.key_constraints i
join
sys.tables t on i.parent_object_id=t.object_id
where
i.type='PK'
exec dbo.sp_executesql #sql;
go
[Do your data load]
Then bring everything back to life...
DECLARE #sql AS NVARCHAR(max)=''
select #sql = #sql +
'ALTER INDEX ALL ON [' + t.[name] + '] REBUILD;'+CHAR(13)
from
sys.tables t
where type='u'
exec dbo.sp_executesql #sql;
go

How to drop column with constraint?

How to drop a column which is having Default constraint in SQL Server 2008?
My query is
alter table tbloffers
drop column checkin
I am getting below error
ALTER TABLE DROP COLUMN checkin failed because one or more objects access this column.
Can anyone correct my query to drop a column with constraint?
First you should drop the problematic DEFAULT constraint, after that you can drop the column
alter table tbloffers drop constraint [ConstraintName]
go
alter table tbloffers drop column checkin
But the error may appear from other reasons - for example the user defined function or view with SCHEMABINDING option set for them.
UPD:
Completely automated dropping of constraints script:
DECLARE #sql NVARCHAR(MAX)
WHILE 1=1
BEGIN
SELECT TOP 1 #sql = N'alter table tbloffers drop constraint ['+dc.NAME+N']'
from sys.default_constraints dc
JOIN sys.columns c
ON c.default_object_id = dc.object_id
WHERE
dc.parent_object_id = OBJECT_ID('tbloffers')
AND c.name = N'checkin'
IF ##ROWCOUNT = 0 BREAK
EXEC (#sql)
END
Here's another way to drop a default constraint with an unknown name without having to first run a separate query to get the constraint name:
DECLARE #ConstraintName nvarchar(200)
SELECT #ConstraintName = Name FROM SYS.DEFAULT_CONSTRAINTS
WHERE PARENT_OBJECT_ID = OBJECT_ID('__TableName__')
AND PARENT_COLUMN_ID = (SELECT column_id FROM sys.columns
WHERE NAME = N'__ColumnName__'
AND object_id = OBJECT_ID(N'__TableName__'))
IF #ConstraintName IS NOT NULL
EXEC('ALTER TABLE __TableName__ DROP CONSTRAINT ' + #ConstraintName)
You can also drop the column and its constraint(s) in a single statement rather than individually.
CREATE TABLE #T
(
Col1 INT CONSTRAINT UQ UNIQUE CONSTRAINT CK CHECK (Col1 > 5),
Col2 INT
)
ALTER TABLE #T DROP CONSTRAINT UQ ,
CONSTRAINT CK,
COLUMN Col1
DROP TABLE #T
Some dynamic SQL that will look up the names of dependent check constraints and default constraints and drop them along with the column is below
(but not other possible column dependencies such as foreign keys, unique and primary key constraints, computed columns, indexes)
CREATE TABLE [dbo].[TestTable]
(
A INT DEFAULT '1' CHECK (A=1),
B INT,
CHECK (A > B)
)
GO
DECLARE #TwoPartTableNameQuoted nvarchar(500) = '[dbo].[TestTable]',
#ColumnNameUnQuoted sysname = 'A',
#DynSQL NVARCHAR(MAX);
SELECT #DynSQL =
'ALTER TABLE ' + #TwoPartTableNameQuoted + ' DROP' +
ISNULL(' CONSTRAINT ' + QUOTENAME(OBJECT_NAME(c.default_object_id)) + ',','') +
ISNULL(check_constraints,'') +
' COLUMN ' + QUOTENAME(#ColumnNameUnQuoted)
FROM sys.columns c
CROSS APPLY (SELECT ' CONSTRAINT ' + QUOTENAME(OBJECT_NAME(referencing_id)) + ','
FROM sys.sql_expression_dependencies
WHERE referenced_id = c.object_id
AND referenced_minor_id = c.column_id
AND OBJECTPROPERTYEX(referencing_id, 'BaseType') = 'C'
FOR XML PATH('')) ck(check_constraints)
WHERE c.object_id = object_id(#TwoPartTableNameQuoted)
AND c.name = #ColumnNameUnQuoted;
PRINT #DynSQL;
EXEC (#DynSQL);
Find the default constraint with this query here:
SELECT
df.name 'Constraint Name' ,
t.name 'Table Name',
c.NAME 'Column Name'
FROM sys.default_constraints df
INNER JOIN sys.tables t ON df.parent_object_id = t.object_id
INNER JOIN sys.columns c ON df.parent_object_id = c.object_id AND df.parent_column_id = c.column_id
This gives you the name of the default constraint, as well as the table and column name.
When you have that information you need to first drop the default constraint:
ALTER TABLE dbo.YourTable
DROP CONSTRAINT name-of-the-default-constraint-here
and then you can drop the column
ALTER TABLE dbo.YourTable DROP COLUMN YourColumn
The following worked for me against a SQL Azure backend (using SQL Server Management Studio), so YMMV, but, if it works for you, it's waaaaay simpler than the other solutions.
ALTER TABLE MyTable
DROP CONSTRAINT FK_MyColumn
CONSTRAINT DK_MyColumn
-- etc...
COLUMN MyColumn
GO
Based on the previous answers, I have added it as a stored procedure to simplify the deletion of a column when it has attached constraints
CREATE OR ALTER PROC DROP_COLUMN(#TableName nvarchar(200), #ColumnName nvarchar(200))
AS
BEGIN
DECLARE #ConstraintName nvarchar(200)
SELECT #ConstraintName = Name FROM SYS.DEFAULT_CONSTRAINTS
WHERE PARENT_OBJECT_ID = OBJECT_ID(#TableName)
AND PARENT_COLUMN_ID = (SELECT column_id FROM sys.columns
WHERE NAME = #ColumnName
AND object_id = OBJECT_ID(#TableName))
IF #ConstraintName IS NOT NULL
EXEC('ALTER TABLE '+#TableName+' DROP CONSTRAINT ' + #ConstraintName)
EXEC('ALTER TABLE '+#TableName+' DROP COLUMN IF EXISTS ' + #ColumnName)
END
GO
--example:
EXEC DROP_COLUMN N'VEHICLES', N'SCMT'
EXEC DROP_COLUMN N'VEHICLES', N'SSC'
EXEC DROP_COLUMN N'VEHICLES', N'RS'
EXEC DROP_COLUMN N'VEHICLES', N'RCEC'
DROP PROCEDURE IF EXISTS DROP_COLUMN
I got the same:
ALTER TABLE DROP COLUMN failed because one or more objects access this column message.
My column had an index which needed to be deleted first. Using sys.indexes did the trick:
DECLARE #sql VARCHAR(max)
SELECT #sql = 'DROP INDEX ' + idx.NAME + ' ON tblName'
FROM sys.indexes idx
INNER JOIN sys.tables tbl ON idx.object_id = tbl.object_id
INNER JOIN sys.index_columns idxCol ON idx.index_id = idxCol.index_id
INNER JOIN sys.columns col ON idxCol.column_id = col.column_id
WHERE idx.type <> 0
AND tbl.NAME = 'tblName'
AND col.NAME = 'colName'
EXEC sp_executeSql #sql
GO
ALTER TABLE tblName
DROP COLUMN colName
I have updated script a little bit to my SQL server version
DECLARE #sql nvarchar(max)
SELECT #sql = 'ALTER TABLE `table_name` DROP CONSTRAINT ' + df.NAME
FROM sys.default_constraints df
INNER JOIN sys.tables t ON df.parent_object_id = t.object_id
INNER JOIN sys.columns c ON df.parent_object_id = c.object_id AND df.parent_column_id = c.column_id
where t.name = 'table_name' and c.name = 'column_name'
EXEC sp_executeSql #sql
GO
ALTER TABLE table_name
DROP COLUMN column_name;
It's not always just a default constraint that prevents from droping a column and sometimes indexes can also block you from droping the constraint.
So I wrote a procedure that drops any index or constraint on a column and the column it self at the end.
IF OBJECT_ID ('ADM_delete_column', 'P') IS NOT NULL
DROP procedure ADM_delete_column;
GO
CREATE procedure ADM_delete_column
#table_name_in nvarchar(300)
, #column_name_in nvarchar(300)
AS
BEGIN
/* Author: Matthis (matthis#online.ms at 2019.07.20)
License CC BY (creativecommons.org)
Desc: Administrative procedure that drops columns at MS SQL Server
- if there is an index or constraint on the column
that will be dropped in advice
=> input parameters are TABLE NAME and COLUMN NAME as STRING
*/
SET NOCOUNT ON
--drop index if exist (search first if there is a index on the column)
declare #idx_name VARCHAR(100)
SELECT top 1 #idx_name = i.name
from sys.tables t
join sys.columns c
on t.object_id = c.object_id
join sys.index_columns ic
on c.object_id = ic.object_id
and c.column_id = ic.column_id
join sys.indexes i
on i.object_id = ic.object_id
and i.index_id = ic.index_id
where t.name like #table_name_in
and c.name like #column_name_in
if #idx_name is not null
begin
print concat('DROP INDEX ', #idx_name, ' ON ', #table_name_in)
exec ('DROP INDEX ' + #idx_name + ' ON ' + #table_name_in)
end
--drop fk constraint if exist (search first if there is a constraint on the column)
declare #fk_name VARCHAR(100)
SELECT top 1 #fk_name = CONSTRAINT_NAME
from INFORMATION_SCHEMA.CONSTRAINT_COLUMN_USAGE
where TABLE_NAME like #table_name_in
and COLUMN_NAME like #column_name_in
if #fk_name is not null
begin
print concat('ALTER TABLE ', #table_name_in, ' DROP CONSTRAINT ', #fk_name)
exec ('ALTER TABLE ' + #table_name_in + ' DROP CONSTRAINT ' + #fk_name)
end
--drop column if exist
declare #column_name VARCHAR(100)
SELECT top 1 #column_name = COLUMN_NAME
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE COLUMN_NAME like concat('%',#column_name_in,'%')
if #column_name is not null
begin
print concat('ALTER TABLE ', #table_name_in, ' DROP COLUMN ', #column_name)
exec ('ALTER TABLE ' + #table_name_in + ' DROP COLUMN ' + #column_name)
end
end;
GO
--to run the procedure use this execute and fill the parameters
execute ADM_delete_column
#table_name_in = ''
, #column_name_in = ''
;

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