Determining if a SQL Server table is read-only

Question

What\'s the best way to determine if a given SQL Server table is read-only, either because of account permissions or the database being marked as read-only?

Answer 1

Have a rummage around in SQL Server's Information Schema Views, specifically, TABLE_PRIVILEGES.

Answer 2

--for database (updated for newer versions)
SELECT DATABASEPROPERTYEX(DB_NAME(), 'Updateability')

--for tables.
SELECT
   *
FROM
   sys.tables t
   LEFT JOIN
   sys.database_permissions dp2 ON dp2.major_id = t.object_id AND dp2.permission_name = 'SELECT'
WHERE
   NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM 
         sys.database_permissions dp
      WHERE
         dp.major_id = t.object_id
         AND
         dp.permission_name IN ('INSERT', 'DELETE', 'UPDATE'))

Modify * as needed to get what you want: this checks for none/SELECT where there is no I/U/D rights

You also have FILEGROUPPROPERTY etc if you have read only filegroups

Edit: for current connection and direct table rights per user. Does not iterate through group hierarchy

SELECT
   *
FROM
   sys.tables t
   JOIN
   sys.database_permissions dp2 ON dp2.major_id = t.object_id AND dp2.permission_name = 'SELECT'
WHERE
   dp2.grantee_principal_id = USER_ID()
   AND
   dp.permission_name IN ('INSERT', 'DELETE', 'UPDATE'))

Answer 3

You mean besides trying to write to it right?