Listing database snapshots

In this recipe, we will list the database snapshots that are available in your instance.

Getting ready

You may choose to create a test snapshot if the instance that you are using does not have any database snapshots. You can use the following T-SQL script, or you can choose to perform the Creating a database snapshot recipe first before we proceed with this recipe.

How to do it...

The following steps walk you through listing database snapshots:

1. Open PowerShell ISE as an administrator.
2. Import the SQLPS module as follows:

   #import SQL Server module
   Import-Module SQLPS -DisableNameChecking

3. Add the following script and run it:

   $instanceName = "localhost"
   $server = New-Object -TypeName Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.Server -ArgumentList $instanceName
   
   $server.Databases |
   Where-Object IsDatabaseSnapshot -eq $true

How it works...

A database snapshot is a static, read-only view of a source database at the time its snapshot was created. Database snapshots are initially...