SQL Server logs, also referred to as SQL Server Error logs, contain a range of messages, including informational, warning, and critical errors. While some of these logs can be viewed in the Windows event viewer, it’s advisable to rely on SQL Server logs for comprehensive and detailed information.

How do I check SQL Server Logs? Manually

The two manual methods to check SQL Server Logs using the SSM and fn_dblog with their detail steps.

Using SQL Server Management Tool (SSMS)

If the user wants to check SQL Server log files manually, then the first method is to use SSMS.

Using Undocumented fn_dblog()

Create a database named ‘ EMP’. Let’s see the value first using the following command

SELECT * FROM EMP.

After that, change the table data using the UPDATE command. For this, run this query.

UPDATE EMP SET DEPARTMENT = ‘ IT’ WHERE EMP_NAME = ‘ RAM’

Now, repeat the view command using the SELECT command. Now, changes can be seen in the modified table

Execute the fn_dblog function according to the requirements.

Select [Begin Time], [Transaction Name] from fn_dblog(null, null) where [Transaction Name] = ‘ Update’

Lastly, check the logs such as insert, update, etc., by executing this query

SELECT [Begin Time], [Transaction Name] from fn_dblog(null, null)

Drawbacks of Manual Solutions

The main limitation of the manual solution is that it requires in-depth knowledge of SQL commands. A manual solution is time-consuming and does not give instant results. The chance of data loss is very high in manual solutions, so users need to work carefully with them.

How do I check SQL Server logs With Ease?

If all manual solutions mentioned above do not work, then users can switch to the automated solution, such as SysTools SQL Log Analyser. It efficiently and quickly allows users to check complete SQL log transactions without any difficulty. The tool analyses the SQL transactions log, i.e. LDF file, to detect any vital changes in the database records. The software is best for Forensic investigation and tracking all the transaction history of the user’s database in full detail with the login credentials of SQL Server. It restores the changes in the database into MS SQL Server.

The software opens, analyses, and reads all the MS SQL transactions like Insert, Delete, Update, etc. It supports all the MS SQL Server database versions, like 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, and 2005 versions of the LDF file. The tool exports SQL data files in three different ways such as CSV File, SQL Server database, and SQL Server-compatible script. All Windows Operating Systems are fully supported by this tool, including (11, 10, 8, 7, and XP, with both 64-bit and 32-bit versions. It works in both online and offline versions of SQL Server.

Follow these steps to check SQL Server logs

• Download and launch the application program on your computer.
• Now, click to open and add the LDF/MDF file to the program.
• Select the option to add a file to the software, like Online DB and Offline DB.
• Preview all the scan objects like records, deletes, updates, and inserts. Now, hit the export button and check all the SQL logs.

Conclusion

The article covers the two manual methods to check SQL Server Logs using the SSM and fn_dblog with their detailed steps. These manual methods are time-consuming and complex to use, while a small mistake can lead to an error. So to avoid complexity and errors, we recommend using automated and secure software.

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