In SQL Server 2005, is there an easy way to “copy” permissions on an object from one user/role to another?

Question

I asked another question about roles and permissions, which mostly served to reveal my ignorance. One of the other outcomes was the advice that one should generally stay aw

Answer 1

Working from memory (no SQL on my gaming 'pooter), you can use sys.database_permissions

Run this and paste the results into a new query.

Edit, Jan 2012. Added OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME.
You may need to pimp it to support schemas (dbo.) by joining onto sys.objects

SET NOCOUNT ON;
DECLARE @NewRole varchar(100), @SourceRole varchar(100);

-- Change as needed
SELECT @SourceRole = 'Giver', @NewRole = 'Taker';

SELECT
    state_desc + ' ' + 
          permission_name + ' ON ' + 
          OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(major_id) + '.' + OBJECT_NAME(major_id) +
          ' TO ' + @NewRole
FROM
    sys.database_permissions
WHERE
    grantee_principal_id = DATABASE_PRINCIPAL_ID(@SourceRole) 
    AND
    -- 0 = DB,  1 = object/column, 3 = schema. 1 is normally enough
    class <= 3;