Comments on: SQL SERVER – Case Sensitive Database and Database User – Fix: Error: 15151 – Cannot find the user , because it does not exist or you do not have permission.

By: SQL SERVER – Weekly Series – Memory Lane – #017 | SQL Server Journey with SQL Authority

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 01:31:33 +0000

[...] Case Sensitive Database and Database User Interesting Question from Blog Reader: - Here is the scenario. I have two databases: AdventureWorks and MyAdventureWorks. I have a user called SQLAuthority in both databases. Now when I try to grant access the user in one database it works fine, but when I try to do the same thing in another database, it gives me an error. I am stunned as both the users are same. As a matter of fact, I had just created those users recently, and now I am not able to gain necessary permission. [...]

By: damiengoor

damiengoor — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:11:03 +0000

Good to know. However I experience some strange behaviours with various SQL Server installations. At least I find it inconsistant. My connection string is

server=ServerName;database=SS1

If I try database ‘ss1′ connection would fail which is fine as the DB is case sensitive. When I run

SELECT name AS “Database” FROM master..sysdatabases

SS1 appears in upper case.
However, when I run any query and that I want to specify the database prefixing the table name, it requires the SS1 to be ss1.

Example:

SELECT VBELN FROM SS1.VBAK;// returns [Invalid object name 'SS1.VBAK']

SELECT VBELN FROM ss1.VBAK;// runs fine

On another install case insensitive this one, I have to remove the database reference completely in order to have the query running.

What are the reasons for these differences? Thanks for any help.

By: aMSDeveloper

aMSDeveloper — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 04:49:22 +0000

Can someone tell me when to consider collation (case sensitivity) of SQL Server? I have not come across a scenario where case sensitive SQL Server is preferred over case insensitive. Please Help.

By: Abdul Samathu

Abdul Samathu — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:23:48 +0000

Thanks Pinal, I got some valuable information today…..

By: kaushik

kaushik — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 07:53:04 +0000

Really great sir,

By: Sneha321

Sneha321 — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 03:37:29 +0000

Chris,

I think you have not got the point of this blog post. It is not about Pinal’s knowledge but rather a good example of true mentor and story teller.

How easily he tells us a story, which we can all related to ourself and my co-workers. After reading this post, I will never ever forget this issue.

He is great great educator. A small request to you – please stay positive to life.

Pinal – keep up a good work.

By: Ganesh narim

Ganesh narim — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:23:29 +0000

Chris,

May be people can forget small,small things some time even they are experts in resolving big ones,this post is for ‘jeff’ who is new to this field, ‘pinal’ explained the actual problem in the way of what normal person thinks in this situation like ‘Jeff’,
If ” Pinal ” says like this “Oh!! this is very very easy problem why this guy jeff not having this much of knowledge who hired him..???”

What we think if we see this words in this post..?????

So the aim is to explain the problem in such a way of easy understanding for every one.!!!!

I’m sorry if did anything wrong here…!!!

Thank you Chris.

By: pinaldave

pinaldave — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:38:11 +0000

Nakul,

Absolutely excellent comment. I think in future we should put up a poll that about it. I think those who are confused due to case sensitive nature of database, will be not confused any more if everything is case sensitive.

However, there are some clear needs of the case sensitive database as well and collation have special place in the database.

By: pinaldave

pinaldave — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:35:36 +0000

Thanks for your concern. The goal of the post is to share experience.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:20:31 +0000

Recently I have read in one of your blogpost that you are now MS employee.
MS must be shamed after seeing this post from you that by seeing this simple error you not able to judge that this is only and only the case of case sensitivity or in technical term database collation.

Did someone took your interview before hiring you in MS?

I know you are the author of this blog and you will not let other know about it. But my intention is not to make aware about you, but to make you aware about your knowledge.

By: pinaldave

pinaldave — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:29:07 +0000

Ganesh,

Love your dedication my friend. Your support make me go day by day.

By: Ganesh narim

Ganesh narim — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:57:57 +0000

Hi pinal sir,
I’m too like chandra, I used to start a day with your post, i put bookmark to your blog in my toolbar’s both laptop and office desk so there is no chance to miss your post even a single day…!!!!

By: Nakul Vachhrajani

Nakul Vachhrajani — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 07:08:13 +0000

The afternoon is off to a great start for me! I was half-way through the post, looking at the pair of screenshots and almost immediately thought – “hmmm…AdventureWorks seems to be a case-sensitive database, and the script uses a different case for the user name.” As a I scrolled down, that’s exactly what it was!

Anyway, case sensitive collations may end up being a lot of trouble for someone who has never worked with them. At work, the databses that I work with are case-insensitive; whereas the AdventureWorks sample database is case-sensitive which sometimes takes me on a wild-goose chase.

I sometimes wonder whether all databases should be made case sensitive or not? To think of it, doing so would make lives of code reviewers so much easier (one would be forced to use Intellisense when developing scripts, rather than remember the exact case of an object name).

By: Nirav Gajjar

Nirav Gajjar — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 06:14:01 +0000

I found the same problem in previous week and i had wasted my half day to find error. My mind was out of coverage at that time, eventually my college just tried by changing the case and it solved.
I was smiled at my self and looking at the screen

This article becomes very helpful for other.
Thanks Mr. Pinal

By: pinaldave

pinaldave — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 05:45:59 +0000

Thanks Chandra – love your comment and we are motivated.

By: CHANdra Sekhar B

CHANdra Sekhar B — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:56:38 +0000

Gud One sir!!! Now a days i read SQLAuthority articles everyday in place of News Paper… :)