Query temp table in stored proc whilst debugging in SQL 2008 Management Studio

Question

I have a really large stored procedure which calls other stored procedures and applies the results into temp tables.

I am debugging in SQL 2008 Management Studio and can use the watch window to query local parameters but how can I query a temp table on whilst debugging?

If its not possible is there an alternative approach? I have read about using table variables instead, would it be possible to query these? If so how would I do this?

Answer 1

Use global temporary tables, i.e. with double hash.

insert into ##temp select ...

While debugging, you can pause the SP at some point, and in another query window, the ## table is available for querying.

select * from ##temp

Single hash tables (#tmp) is session specific and is only visible from the session.

Answer 2

I built a procedure which will display the content of a temp table from another database connection. (which is not possible with normal queries). Note that it uses DBCC PAGE & the default trace to access the data so only use it for debugging purposes.

Answer 3

an alternative would be to use a variable in your stored proc that allows for debug on the fly.

i use a variable called @debug_out (BIT).

works something like this

ALTER PROCEDURE [dbo].[usp_someProc]

@some_Var VARCHAR(15) = 'AUTO',

@debug_Out BIT = 0

BEGIN

  IF @debug_Out = 1
       BEGIN
            PRINT('THIS IS MY TABLE');
            SELECT * FROM dbo.myTable;
       END ................ 

END

the great thing about doing this is when your code launches your stored procedure, the default is to show none of these debug sections. when you want to debug, you just pass in your debug variable.

EXEC usp_someProc @debug_Out = 1