How to detect a SQL Server database's read-only status using T-SQL?

Question

I need to know how to interrogate a Microsoft SQL Server, to see if a given database has been set to Read-Only or not.

Is that possible, using T-SQL?

Answer 1

I was trying to use the p.campbell's answer to check if my Azure SQL DB is the primary one or the read only replica - it didn't work. Both the primary DB and the replica returned had 0 on the is_read_only field.

Here's what worked for me:

SELECT DATABASEPROPERTYEX('MyDBNAme', 'Updateability'); 

the above select statement returns string 'READ_ONLY' or 'READ_WRITE'.

Answer 2

Querying sys.databases for checking a DB's Read-Only property will only give the right information if the database has been explicitly set to Read-Only mode.

For databases that are in the passive servers (e.g. in AlwaysOn technology Secondary Servers), even though the databases cannot be written into, their Read-Only mode in sys.databases would still be set as False(0).

Hence, it is advisable to check the Read-Only mode of databases using the statement:

SELECT DATABASEPROPERTYEX('MyDBNAme', 'Updateability');

Answer 3

Here is a command to display or set this property.

EXEC sp_dboption "AdventureWorks", "read only"

Sample output

OptionName CurrentSetting    
read only OFF

Answer 4

The information is stored in sys.databases.

SELECT name, is_read_only 
FROM sys.databases 
WHERE name = 'MyDBNAme'
GO

--returns 1 in is_read_only when database is set to read-only mode.