How to attach a SQL Server database from the command line

Question

Is it possible to enter a command line command (like in a batch file) to attach a detached database to SQL Server, in stead of opening the management studio and doing it in

Answer 1

you need to use: sqlcmd Utility

The sqlcmd utility lets you enter Transact-SQL statements, system procedures, and script files at the command prompt, in Query Editor in SQLCMD mode, in a Windows script file or in an operating system (Cmd.exe) job step of a SQL Server Agent job. This utility uses OLE DB to execute Transact-SQL batches.

Then use CREATE DATABASE (Transact-SQL) to do the attach and sp_detach_db (Transact-SQL) to do the detach. The sp_attach_db (Transact-SQL) is going to be removed in a future version of Microsoft SQL Server.

Answer 2

If you need to specify the log file name: USE master; GO; CREATE DATABASE DBNAME ON ( FILENAME = 'C:\DBFILE.mdf') LOG ON ( FILENAME = 'C:\DBLOGFILE_log.ldf') FOR ATTACH; GO; And to detach: USE master; GO; EXEC sp_detach_db 'DBNAME', 'true'; GO;

Answer 3

Small gotcha, it won't tell you what is wrong when using sqlcmd and your mdf/ldf files are marked read-only. Make sure they are read-write.