How to see SQL query in SQL profiler?

Question

When I issue an update query or another Data Manipulation Language (DML) query that changes the data in the database, using Entity Framework 4, how do I see the query sent to the SQL Server?

Let's say I do something like:

someEntityObjectInstance.SomeProperty = newValue;
context.SaveChanges();

In this case, there's no ObjectQuery to do a ToTraceString() against, so I can't really see what's going on under the covers. I believe there's some Microsoft SQL Server tool like the profiler or something that will help me see the query.

Also, some Intellitrace in VS 2010 Ultimate does the same thing, I think?

Can you please teach me how to use the SQL 2005 Profiler, if there's any such thing?

Update

I am looking at a trace in SQL Server 2005 Profiler now but when I issue a context.DeleteObject() call or when I update an object and call context.SaveChanges(), I do not see the UPDATE or DELETE queries in the profiler. I only see wierd SELECT queries.

Solution 1

you answered it, sql server tool called profiler

edit:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms187929.aspx

Solution 2

There are easier ways, if all you want is see the sql queries as they hit the DB.

Here are two very light-weight Sql profilers that can do the job for various SqlServer flavors, including LocalDb - "worked on my machine (TM)"

ExpressProfiler

By far the easiest to use one (and also the most bare-bones-show-me-the-SQL-statements-kthxbye) is ExpressProfiler on CodePlex.

Download tiny ZIP, wonder if you really got the whole file (you did), run EXE inside, BAM!

And the whole program is a single 126 KB EXE ! Now that's lightweight!

AnjLab Sql Profiler

The other one is the one from DataWizard, which used to be free (apparently prices now start at $5).

Somebody managed to save a snapshot on GitHub (including xcopy-installable binaries) when it was open-source.

The executable presents itself as "AnjLab Sql Profiler" and allows some filtering of the displayed events - but this strength is also its weakness, as there are sooo many event types that can be enabled/disabled. If everything is selected, the output is overwhelmingly verbose.

A saner output can be obtain by only selecting specific events.

Here are the events I have selected in order to get the above output:

Comments

[Water Cooler v2]

I am looking at a trace in SQL Server 2005 Profiler now but when I issue a context.DeleteObject() call or when I update an object and call context.SaveChanges(), I do not see the UPDATE or DELETE queries in the profiler. I only see wierd SELECT queries.

[e-mre]

EF runs update statements with "exec sp_executesql" so you need to trace not only TSQL statements but also SP's to see update statements in the profiler

[tough]

@e-mre I would like to know what would "EF" mean here, I am too looking to see some update, insert and delete statements. I am able to see ´select´statements but not ´update, insert´and ´delete´statements.

[e-mre]

@tough EF is Entity Framework. EF runs some statements not as direct sql commands but rather through sp_executesql. For all these to appear in the profiler you might need to alter the default settings when starting a profiler session.

[tough]

@e-mre looking at the options on EF profiling I could not find anything stated with mssql-server-profiler, Julie Lerman explains different pro-filers used for EF but not mssql-server-profiler should I assume its not possible to trace any activity of EF though mssql-server-profiler?

[e-mre]

@tough The profiler I am talking about has nothing to do with EF. It is the profiler application that is installed with sql server client tools. "Sql Server Profiler".

[tbone]

I'm working with an app that uses nhibernate and I also am completely unable to see any activity even though I have all stored procedure and TSQL events selected. UPDATE: I hadn't selected: Stored Procedures, RPC:Starting

[WtFudgE]

mate, ur my hero, expressprofiler is the BOMB! super light weight and works like a charm, no hastle, nothing

[Cristian Diaconescu]

@WtFudgE Glad you like it :)

[riffrazor]

ExpressProfiler now seems to be source-only and has been moved to github.com/OleksiiKovalov/expressprofiler It compiled without issue and seems to work, though I still havent found update query syntax in its displays.