MS SQL Server Interview Question:

How To Get the Definition of a Stored Procedure Back?

Submitted by: Administrator

If you want get the definition of an existing stored procedure back from the SQL Server, you can use the system view called sys.sql_modules, which stores definitions of views and stored procedures.

The sys.sql_modules holds stored procedure definitions identifiable by the object id of each view. The tutorial exercise below shows you how to retrieve the definition of stored procedure, "ShowFaq" by joining sys.sql_modules and sys.procedures:

USE GlobalGuideLineDatabase;
GO

SELECT m.definition
FROM sys.sql_modules m, sys.procedures p
WHERE m.object_id = p.object_id
AND p.name = 'ShowFaq';
GO
definition
-----------------------------------------
CREATE PROCEDURE ShowFaq AS BEGIN
PRINT 'Number of questions:';
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM Faq;
PRINT 'First 5 questions:'
SELECT TOP 5 * FROM Faq;
END;
CREATE TABLE Faq (Question VARCHAR(80));
(1 row(s) affected)
Submitted by: Administrator