Reducting the database size, after table delete

[thefrstgatsby]

I realize that this is probably somewhere on the site already, but I can't get the wording right to find the answer, so if you already know where the answer is, please leave the link so that I can get it.

I have deleted 6 tables from a database, but the database size has remained the same. I realize that I probably have to purge the database, but I can't seem to find where I do that.

Does someone know where or how to do that?

Also the database is only 776 megs, can I do it safely during the day without slowing down the day to day processes?

Thanks

 

[JayKusch]

Go into Enterprise Manager(EM) and drill down to the DB that needs to be "shrunk". Right click on the DB and choose All Tasks..Shrink Database.

Thanks

J. Kusch

 

[thefrstgatsby]

is it safe to do this during work hours, id the database is only 776 megs?

 

[JayKusch]

Yes ... it should not cause any issues. I would also run a backup afterwards.

Thanks

J. Kusch

 

[SQLBill]

Definitely run a full backup after shrinking any files.

-SQLBill

 

[thefrstgatsby]

why after?

 

[SQLBill]

Because once you shrink the database, it breaks the transaction log 'chain'. So you need to get a new full backup to begin the transaction log 'chain' again.

Let's say you have a Full backup and you've been doing transaction log backups. Good. Now you shrink the database. Now you do more tl backups. If you have to restore, you restore the full backup and then only the tl backups prior to the shrinkage will be restored any after the shrink will give errors.

-SQLBill