SQL Server Install: What is osql?

[joe_pool_is]

I am trying to install the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE 2000) Release A. The ReadmeMSDE2000A.htm file gave me the message that I needed a strong password as described in the Microsoft Knowledge Base article 322336.

 

 

 

I followed this link to find out how to do this. It told me to enter "osql -U sa" at the command prompt. I did this, but my returned message was:

'osql' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

 

 

There was nothing telling me what I should do in this event. What now? Obviously, I need to install osql, but I don't know what that is, or if there is something else that might be required with it.

[eramgarden]

if u dont get an answer here, try http://www.sqlmag.com

 

great site for sql questions

[PlausiblyDamp]

osql.exe is just a command line tool for running scripts against a SQL / MSDE installation. With SQL it is installed under the program files folder for SQL, not sure with MSDE though - try a search of your local hard drive and see if anything turns up.

[Rick_Fla]

I am not sure it comes with MDSE, I think we ended up copying it and all of it's dependices when we were trying to automate some things. But I could always be wrong :)