actual space used by data

[timscronin]

I thought (and can't find now) there was a script you could run to show how much actual data your tables held vs their size. In other words, if I have a table with 20 fields and 18 are empty, what that non-used/wasted space would be.

 

[SQLBill]

Are you thinking about sp_spaceused? Check it out in the BOL, it might be what you are looking for.

-SQLBill

 

[timscronin]

DOn't think that is it, I think the problem with that one is that is doesn't really calculate char fields in a realistic fashion

 

[tlbroadbent]

You can use the datalength function in a query to calcualte wasted space. Here is an example that calculates the wasted space in a single column of a table.

Select Wasted = Sum(datalength(PartNumber)-datalength(rtrim(PartNumber)))
From dbo.PartsList

If you want to get the best answer for your question read faq183-874 and faq183-3179.
Terry L. Broadbent - DBA
SQL Server Page:

http://tlbroadbent.home.comcast.net/sql/sql_articles.htm