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 System tables in SSMS

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ravilobo
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

1184 Posts

Posted - 2007-03-15 : 11:24:55
Where can I see system tables in SSMS?

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I think, therefore I am - Rene Descartes

spirit1
Cybernetic Yak Master

11752 Posts

Posted - 2007-03-15 : 11:33:09
Database->Tables->system tables

or is there something else you want?

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ravilobo
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

1184 Posts

Posted - 2007-03-15 : 11:39:16
Causing trouble again?!

Thank you spirit1!
I checked Database->Tables->system tables, but there are very less tables here.

I found lot of old system tables have become system views,
DB->system databases -> master -> views->system views

Where does the actual system data gets stored? I mean from where do these system views get the data?

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I think, therefore I am - Rene Descartes
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spirit1
Cybernetic Yak Master

11752 Posts

Posted - 2007-03-15 : 11:47:10
read this on where they are:
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/mladenp/archive/2007/03/12/60132.aspx

you can also use:
SELECT object_definition(OBJECT_ID('sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats'))

where you put in the object name and schema and you get the body of the object.
be sure to put the result in text mode to see it right.


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ravilobo
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

1184 Posts

Posted - 2007-03-15 : 12:01:54
Thank you spirit1!

Solved my doubt. One more question what is the difference between using SP_HELP/SP_HELPTEXT and
object_definition?



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I think, therefore I am - Rene Descartes
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spirit1
Cybernetic Yak Master

11752 Posts

Posted - 2007-03-15 : 12:54:20
run object_definition on sp_helptext and you'll see

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snSQL
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

1837 Posts

Posted - 2007-03-15 : 14:10:27
quote:
read this on where they are:
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/mladenp/archive/2007/03/12/60132.aspx

Note that the system tables are not in MsSqlSystemResource. The system stored procs, views, and functions are in there, but there are still system tables in each database just like they used to be - however, they are now truly hidden - SQL Server will not show them to you at all. You can see the data that is in them through the compatibility views (like sysobjects), which are there purely for backwards compatibility, or through the new catalog views (like sys.objects), which are how you should now query the System Catalog.

BTW - The reason that system procs, views and functions are in MsSqlSystemResource is so that applying service packs is much simpler. In the past it would take longer to apply a service pack than it took to install SQL Server because the service pack would have to delete all the procs, views and functions and then recreate them in master. Now applying a service pack just replaces MsSqlSystemResource.
See http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189082.aspx
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ravilobo
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

1184 Posts

Posted - 2007-03-15 : 15:28:26
Great info! Thank you snSQL!

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I think, therefore I am - Rene Descartes
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ravilobo
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

1184 Posts

Posted - 2007-03-15 : 15:33:43
quote:
Originally posted by spirit1

run object_definition on sp_helptext and you'll see



Spirit1,

I tried the follpwing SQL,

SELECT object_definition (OBJECT_ID('sp_helptext'))
GO
sp_helptext sp_helptext
GO


Both aare giving the same o/p!



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spirit1
Cybernetic Yak Master

11752 Posts

Posted - 2007-03-16 : 05:48:02
yes and both are reading from sys.syscomments.

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ravilobo
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

1184 Posts

Posted - 2007-03-16 : 09:26:11
Okay!
Somehow I feel that there is more it than that. But anyhow I don't want to go deep.

Thank you Spirit1!


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snSQL
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

1837 Posts

Posted - 2007-03-16 : 13:20:41
quote:
Originally posted by spirit1

yes and both are reading from sys.syscomments.


But note that sys.syscomments is a compatibility view, the new view that you should use is sys.sql_modules.
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