SQL Error Msg 208, Level 16, State 1, Line 1

Question

I am attempting to execute the following query "select * from master GO" in MS SQL Server Management Studio Express  on MS SQL Server 2005 with the following error message "Msg 208, Level 16, State 1, Line 1 Invalid object name 'master'.". Note I can see the database in the objects explorer pane.  Also this is a new install and my first experience with the tool and SQL on a PC.  What am I missing format, path, security ? 

Answer 1

SELECT * FROM _________

Needs to reference a table or view - not a database.  The database contains tables and views.

Try this:

USE master

GO

SELECT * FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS

(note that you don't need to switch to master to query information_schema.columns - I just did it to tie in with your example).

Does this help?

---

Aaron Alton | thehobt.blogspot.com

Answer 2

Master is the name of the database (system db). You need to query the objects like tables or views etc.

Select * from tablename
Select * from viewname

Consider the below query where i create a new table named Employee in master database.

USE master
GO
CREATE table Employee
(
Empid int,
Empname varchar(30)
)
GO
INSERT INTO Employee VALUES(1,'John')
INSERT INTO Employee VALUES(2,'Tom')
INSERT INTO Employee VALUES(3,'Mike')
GO

--I am querying the table from within the master database
Use master
Select * from Employee

--I can also query it by specifying the dbname.schemaname.objectname as follows
Select * from master.dbo.Employee

--The below is the 4 part naming convention of using the servername.dbname.schemaname.Objectname
Select * from [PC0032\SQLEXPRESS].master.dbo.Employee

where dbo=is the default schema name.

-Deepak

---

Deepak | Mark the answers if it helps to solve your problem |