Question

I have several databases (SqlServer 2005) on the same server with the same schema but different data.

I have one extra database which has one table storing the names of the mentioned databases.

So what I need to do is to iterate over those databases name and actually "switch" to each one (use [dbname]) and execute a T-SQL script. Am I clear?

Let me give you an example (simplified from the real one):

CREATE TABLE DatabaseNames
(
   Id   int,
   Name varchar(50)
)
INSERT INTO DatabaseNames SELECT 'DatabaseA'
INSERT INTO DatabaseNames SELECT 'DatabaseB'
INSERT INTO DatabaseNames SELECT 'DatabaseC'

Assume that DatabaseA, DatabaseB and DatabaseC are real existing databases.
So let’s say I need to create a new SP on those DBs. I need some script that loops over those databases and executes the T-SQL script I specify (maybe stored on a varchar variable or wherever).

Any ideas?

Answer 1

I guess this will generally not be possible in TSQL, since, as others pointed out,

• you first need as USE statement to change the database,

• followed by the statement you want to execute, which is, although not specified, a DDL statement which must be first in a batch.

• Moreover, you cannot have a GO in a string to be EXECuted.

I found a command-line solution invoking sqlcmd:

for /f "usebackq" %i in 
    (`sqlcmd -h -1 -Q 
     "set nocount on select name from master..sysdatabases where status=16"`)
    do
        sqlcmd -d %i -Q "print db_name()"

Sample code uses current Windows login to query all active databases from Master (replace with your own connection and query for databases), and executes a literal TSQL command on each database thus found. (line breaks for clarity only)

Have a look at the command-line parameters of sqlcmd. You can pass it a TSQL file as well.

If you want to allow manual selection of databases, have a look at SSMS Tools Pack.