instance naming conventions

• Jon.Morisi

  SSChampion

  Points: 12846

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  July 27, 2009 at 2:19 pm

  #212820

  Hi everyone,

  I had a recent request to create a SQL 2005 named instance with a '-' in it. for example 'my-instance'.

  SQL server reported that, "the instance name 'my-instance' does not conform to instance naming conventions"

  I then found this link http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143531%28SQL.90%29.aspx which details the naming convention rules, "...Subsequent characters can be letters defined by the Unicode Standard 2.0, decimal numbers from Basic Latin or other national scripts, the dollar sign ($), or an underscore (_)."

  I read the above as Subsequent characters can be A-Z, 0-9, $, or _.

  Is my interpretation correct? Does anyone have a more straightforward link out htere that says, " '-'s are not valid characters for instance names?"

  Thanks all

• sqlagentman

  SSCarpal Tunnel

  Points: 4484

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  July 28, 2009 at 9:43 pm

  #1031440

  Your assumptions appear to be correct. If you're being forced to use that form of naming convention suggest an underscore (_).

  - Tim Ford, SQL Server MVPhttp://www.sqlcruise.comhttp://www.thesqlagentman.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyford