Deleting a SQL Server Database on Go Daddy Shared Hosting
Summary
Deleting a SQL Server database is straightforward using the Go Daddy Control Panel. However, you should be aware of some implications if you intend to recreate the database at a later point.
This article provides a step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots to show you how to delete the SQL Server database, and then gives some tips on how to avoid potential problems arising from the deletion.
The Deletion Process
The deletion process removes the database from the SQL Server machine. Note that this is not the same as detaching a database to be moved and used elsewhere. Once your database is deleted - it's gone forever. The Go Daddy deletion tool does not take a backup of the database prior to blowing it away. If you think you might need the data at a later date, be sure to back up the SQL Server database yourself!
The deletion process will take care of disconnecting logins prior to removing the database. You need to decide whether you intend to warn users that the database will go offline. If you have no users yet - then of course, no problem!
Most database deletions tend to be at the beginning of deploying a new web application. The developer may be experimenting with different database structures. Sometimes when the time for final rollout comes around, it's simpler to delete the database and start from scratch with deployment. We'll give some tips on this at the end of this article.
Deleting with the Go Daddy Control Panel
The backup tool is a relatively recent addition to the Go Daddy control panel (July 2007) so you may not be familiar with it.
Log into your Go Daddy account and open the SQL Server section.
Figure 1. Open SQL Server
The Deletion tool is available from the SQL Server screen. Click the X icon to start the process. Naturally you'll be asked to confirm this rash action - click OK to continue.
Figure 2. Click the Button!
The status of the database now changes to "Pending Removal".
Figure 3. Pending Removal
It would be nice if the web page would sound a trumpet call when the deletion is complete. Unfortunately, you will have to keep refreshing the page until you see that the process has completed. You'll know it's complete when you see the message informing you that you must use the 'Create Database' button to create a new database.
Figure 4. Hey Presto - No Database
Potential Pitfalls
If you delete a database, you're probably going to create a new one for your website.
Be aware that in a shared hosting environment it is quite likely that your next database is created on a different host SQL Server. Be sure to reflect the host name change in the database connection settings for your application. The SQL Server host names on Go Daddy are very similar, and it's easy not to spot the change - leading to hours of head-scratching.
Also be aware that you may not be able to re-use the database name that you had previously specified. This is less likely, it all depends on whether there is already a database of that name on the server you are provided. This can represent a bigger problem than a change in the server name - your application database code may have the database name embedded. In this case you'd need to change the application to ensure it works.
Summary
This article provided a step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots to show you how to delete your SQL Server database.
Submitted: 10 August 2007
Author: Margaret Cruise O'Brien
(c) M.C.O.B. Technology 2007