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Tracing and Replaying Events

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Applies to: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance Azure Synapse Analytics SQL database in Microsoft Fabric

In SMO, the Trace and Replay objects in the Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Trace namespace provide programmatic access to the SQL Server Profiler functionality, which is used for monitoring an instance of SQL Server or Analysis Services. You can capture and save data about each event to a file or table to analyze later. For example, you can monitor a production environment to see which procedures are impeding performance by executing too slowly.

The Trace and Replay objects provide a set of objects that can be used to create traces on an instance of SQL Server. These objects can be used from within your own applications to create traces manually for SQL Server or Analysis Services. Additionally, SMO Trace objects can be used to read SQL Trace files and tables that were created by monitoring SQL Server, Analysis Services, or DTS logging.

SMO Trace objects let you perform the following functions:

  • Create a trace.

  • Set filters on the trace.

  • Set the events that are being traced.

  • Stop or start a trace.

  • Read trace files, and trace tables.

  • Get information about events on a trace.

  • Get information about filters on a trace.

  • Manipulate trace data programmatically.

  • Write trace tables and trace files.

  • Replay trace files or trace tables.

The trace data from the Trace and Replay objects can be used by the SMO application, or it can be examined manually by using SQL Server Profiler. The trace data is also compatible with the SQL Trace stored procedures that also provide tracing capabilities.

The SMO trace objects reside in the Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Trace namespace, which requires a reference to the Microsoft.SQLServer.ConnectionInfo.dll file.

The Trace and Replay objects require a ServerConnectionServer object to establish a connection with the instance of SQL Server. The ServerConnection object resides in the Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Common namespace, which requires a reference to the Microsoft.SQLServer.ConnectionInfo.dll file.

Note

The Trace and Replay objects are not supported on a 64-bit platform.