Last month, I wrote an article about how to replace a column name in multiple stored procedures in SQL Server. The response and engagement from the readers were overwhelming, and I am grateful for the participation. If you haven’t read the original article, I recommend doing so before continuing with this blog post, as they are connected. The original article can be found here.
One of the most interesting aspects of the article was the comments and discussions that followed. I would like to highlight a few of the insightful comments and suggestions from the readers.
SQL Server expert Imran Mohammed made an excellent point about the importance of data modeling and logical as well as physical design. He emphasized the need for developers to create a logical design and obtain approval on naming conventions, data types, references, constraints, indexes, and other aspects. Following industry standards and guidelines is crucial to ensure a robust and maintainable database.
Building on Imran’s comment, I would like to extend the discussion by suggesting an additional approach. In the database properties, under “All Tasks,” you can use the scripting wizard to export the queries for all the stored procedures where you want to change the column name. Then, you can perform a find and replace operation in a single window and execute the script. However, it is essential to be cautious and double-check what you are replacing, as column names may also be used in table names.
Another reader, Gatej Alexandru, raised a valid concern about permissions issues when using the DROP or CREATE approach. Instead, he suggested using the ALTER statement, which can help avoid potential problems related to permissions.
Vinay Kumar and SQLStudent144 proposed an alternative method to achieve the same result. Here are the steps they suggested:
- Press Ctrl+T or change the “Result to Text” mode.
- Execute the following commands:
SELECT 'EXEC sp_helptext [' + referencing_schema_name + '.' + referencing_entity_name + ']'
FROM sys.dm_sql_referencing_entities ('schema.objectname', 'OBJECT')
WHERE schema.objectname is the object or table you are searching for.
- Copy the result and paste it into a new window. Again, press Ctrl+T or change the “Result to Text” mode.
- Copy the result and paste it into a new window. Execute the query.
- Copy the result and paste it into a new window.
- Find your search text in the script, make the necessary changes, and execute the script. Remember to remove any code generated in the result set that is not relevant to the T-SQL script.
Another reader, Digitqr, pointed out that this approach can be used for objects other than stored procedures as well. This versatility adds to the usefulness of the method.
Iosif suggested using the SQL Search tool from RedGate as an alternative solution. While I haven’t personally explored this tool, it’s worth considering for those who prefer a dedicated tool for such tasks.
In conclusion, the comments and suggestions from the readers have provided alternative perspectives on the original issue of replacing column names in multiple stored procedures. It’s always valuable to have a diverse range of approaches and tools to tackle database challenges.
Thank you to all the readers who participated in the discussion. Your insights and suggestions contribute to the growth and knowledge-sharing within the SQL Server community.