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How the transaction log works in SQL Server?
The transaction log is an integral part of SQL Server. Every database has a transaction log that is stored within the log file that is separate from the data file. A transaction log basically records all database modifications. When a user issues an INSERT, for example, it is logged in the transaction log.
Where are the transaction logs stored in SQL?
database directory
The data and transaction log files are stored in the root of the database directory. The database directory is the folder location specified when the database is created.
How can I view the SQL server log?
View the logs In SQL Server Management Studio, select Object Explorer. To open Object Explorer, select F8. In Object Explorer, connect to an instance of SQL Server, and then expand that instance. Find and expand the Management section (assuming you have permissions to see it). Right-click SQL Server Logs, select View, and then choose SQL Server Log.
How to manage SQL server log file?
Open Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio application. Here, we are using SQL Server 2014 environment for reading SQL Server Error Log. Connect to Server windows pops-up. Here, you need to select the Server Name and Type of Authentication. In Object Explorer, go to Management as shown in the screenshot to examine or read log file of SQL Server 2014.
How large should the transaction log be?
If there is more than one transaction log file, SQL Server will move through all the files first, before it starts to write new transactions to the first file. Maximum size for a transaction log file is 2 terabytes.
How do you shrink transaction log?
The Transaction Log file of a database can be shrunk by right-clicking on the database and choose the Shrink -> Files option from the Tasks menu, as shown below: In the Shrink File page , change the File Type to Log, and choose the Transaction Log file that you manage to shrink.