SQL timestamp on a table?

[msc0tt]

I know the SYSOBJECTS table has a CRDATE field for the table creation date. Is there a built-in way to tell when a table was last updated? (by built-in, I mean without triggers and code).
-thanks

 

[msc0tt]

As a follow-up note, what I *really* need to know is not so much when, but if a table has changed. Perhaps one of the other fields in the SYSOBJECTS record changes every time there is a change in the table?? Then I would just have to keep track of this value.

 

[SQLBill]

SQL Server has TIMESTAMP datatype which can be used in tables. With SQL Server 2000 the TIMESTAMP is really being called it's true name ROWVERSION as it's not a true time.

This value gets updated everytime there is a change made to the row.

Refer to the BOL on TIMESTAMP and ROWVERSION

-SQLBill

BOL=Books OnLine=Microsoft SQL Server's HELP
Installed as part of the Client Tools
Found at Start>Programs>Microsoft SQL Server>Books OnLine

Posting advice: FAQ481-4875

 

[msc0tt]

Thanks Bill. Yes, I knew about the [timestamp] column but was hoping to save the 8 bytes per row since I don't need to know specifically what row changed. Heck, disk is cheap so this is the way I'll go.
-thanks again.

 

[SQLBill]

You might also be able to use Profiler to create a trace file that could capture when UPDATES are done to a table. I've never done that myself, so I wouldn't be able to help - but it might be worth looking at.

-SQLBill