SQL SERVER – Auto Generate Script to Delete Deprecated Fields in Current Database

I always mark fields to be deprecated with “dep_” as prefix. In this way, after few days, when I am sure that I do not need the field any more I run the query to auto generate the deprecation script. The script also checks for any constraint in the system and auto generate the script to drop it also.

SELECT 'ALTER TABLE ['+po.name+'] DROP CONSTRAINT [' + so.name + ']'
FROM sysobjects so
INNER JOIN sysconstraints sc ON so.id = sc.constid
INNER JOIN syscolumns col ON sc.colid = col.colid
AND so.parent_obj = col.id AND col.name LIKE 'dep[_]%'
INNER JOIN sysobjects po ON so.parent_obj = po.id
WHERE so.xtype = 'D'
ORDER BY po.name, col.name

SELECT 'ALTER TABLE ['+table_schema+'].['+Table_name+'] DROP COLUMN [' + Column_name + ']'
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE column_name LIKE 'dep[_]%'
ORDER BY Table_name, Column_name

Reference: Pinal Dave (http://www.SQLAuthority.com)