Create a Database to Contain the Execution Log
Our
next step is to create a database to contain the information from the Execution
Log. As we have discussed, Reporting Services creates a log to house this
information already - a log that we might simply access, and from which we
might report, without the need for an "intermediate" database. The
information that we find in the default database leaves a little to be desired
from the perspective of formatting, ease of reporting and so forth. We will
therefore take a gift as it is presented, and use the tools provided to create
a database and user-friendly schema to make our job easier. We can, after all,
modify the database as required in the future, should the need arise, based
upon client feedback or our own inclinations.
To
begin the construction of our reporting data source, we will first create a new
database from the MSSQL Server Enterprise Manager, and then create the
constituent tables of the database with Query Analyzer. This step will
be facilitated by the table creation script that resides among the components
that we placed into the folder we created above.
1.
Click Start.
2.
Navigate to
the Microsoft MSSQL Server Enterprise Manager shortcut in the Programs
group, as appropriate.
The
equivalent on my PC appears as shown in Illustration 4.
Illustration 4: Navigating
to the Enterprise Manager
3.
Select Enterprise
Manager from the menu.
The Enterprise
Manager console opens.
4.
Expand
Microsoft SQL Servers by clicking the "+" sign to its
immediate left, as required.
5.
Expand SQL
Server Group.
6.
Expand the
appropriate server.
The Enterprise
Manager console appears as depicted in Illustration 5.
Illustration 5:
Enterprise Manager (Compressed) View
7.
Expand the Databases
folder, so as to display its contents.
8.
Right-click
the Databases folder.
9.
Click New
Database ... in the context menu that appears, as shown in Illustration 6.
Illustration 6: Select
New Database ...
The Database
Properties dialog appears, defaulted to the General tab.
10.
Type the
following into the Name box:
RSExecutionLog
The General
tab of the Database Properties dialog appears
as depicted in Illustration 7.
Illustration 7: The
Database Properties Dialog - General Tab
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