SQL Server 2005 introduced a new command line utility called “sqlcmd” that offers several improvements over its predecessors, osql and isql. In this article, we will delve into the features and capabilities of this powerful utility.
Interactively Using the sqlcmd Utility
The sqlcmd utility allows you to run T-SQL commands interactively from a command prompt window. To start an interactive session, simply open a command shell session and type “sqlcmd” at the prompt. By default, the utility will connect to the default instance of SQL Server using Windows Authentication.
Once the sqlcmd utility is launched, you will see a “1>” prompt followed by a blinking cursor. You can enter T-SQL commands and execute them by typing “GO”. Multiple lines of T-SQL can be entered and stored in the statement cache before executing them with the “GO” command. To exit the interactive session, use the “EXIT” command.
Editing Commands with the sqlcmd Utility
The sqlcmd utility provides the ability to edit commands in the statement cache using an editor specified by the SQLCMDEDITOR environment variable. By using the “ED” command, you can open the statement cache in the editor, make changes, save them, and return to the sqlcmd prompt. This feature is particularly useful for correcting mistakes or modifying recently executed commands.
Using Scripting Variables in a sqlcmd Script
One of the key advantages of the sqlcmd utility is the ability to use scripting variables in scripts. These variables can be set within the script itself, passed as arguments using the “-v” switch, or defined as environment variables. This flexibility allows you to build dynamic scripts that can be easily modified by changing variable values.
For example, you can create a script that uses different values for variables such as server name, table name, or record count. By running the script with different variable values, you can perform the same process on different environments or datasets.
Using a sqlcmd Startup Script
The sqlcmd utility supports the execution of a startup script each time it is launched. This can be achieved by setting the “sqlcmdini” environment variable to the path of the startup script. This feature is useful when you want to set script variables automatically every time you start the sqlcmd utility.
Building a sqlcmd Script with the Query Editor
If you prefer a graphical interface, you can use the query editor in SQL Server Management Studio to build sqlcmd scripts. By enabling SQLCMD mode, you can write and edit sqlcmd scripts just like any other T-SQL script. This mode provides syntax highlighting, code parsing, and other helpful features for script development and debugging.
Considerations when Using sqlcmd
It’s important to note that the sqlcmd utility uses the OLE DB provider, while SQL Server Management Studio uses .NET SqlClient when executing sqlcmd scripts from the query pane. This difference in providers can lead to variations in script execution and results. Therefore, it’s recommended to test your scripts in both environments to ensure consistent behavior.
Conclusion
The sqlcmd utility in SQL Server 2005 offers significant improvements over its predecessors, osql and isql. Its interactive capabilities, support for scripting variables, startup script functionality, and integration with the query editor make it a powerful tool for administering SQL Server.
If you frequently work with osql scripts in SQL Server 2000, you will find great pleasure in the enhanced features of the sqlcmd utility in SQL Server 2005. To learn more about sqlcmd, refer to the sqlcmd topics in SQL Server 2005 Books Online.