Read & Execute permissions in SQL Server

 In SQL Server, permissions are used to control the actions that users can perform on database objects. The "Read" and "Execute" permissions are two different types of permissions that serve distinct purposes:

Read Permission

• Purpose: The Read permission allows a user to view the data within a database object, such as a table or view.
• Typical Use Cases:
  • Selecting data from tables or views.
  • Reading data without making any modifications.
• SQL Commands Affected:
  • SELECT
• Example: If a user has Read permission on a table, they can execute a SELECT statement to retrieve data from that table.

Execute Permission

• Purpose: The Execute permission allows a user to run stored procedures, functions, and other executable objects within the database.
• Typical Use Cases:
  • Executing stored procedures.
  • Running user-defined functions.
• SQL Commands Affected:
  • EXECUTE
• Example: If a user has Execute permission on a stored procedure, they can execute that stored procedure using the EXEC or EXECUTE command.

Key Differences

• Scope:
  • Read permission is primarily concerned with accessing and viewing data.
  • Execute permission is concerned with running executable code within the database.
• Objects:
  • Read permission is typically applied to tables and views.
  • Execute permission is applied to stored procedures, functions, and other executable objects.
• Actions:
  • Read permission allows users to perform SELECT operations.
  • Execute permission allows users to run EXECUTE operations.

Granting Permissions

• Granting Read Permission:

  GRANT SELECT ON [schema].[table] TO [user];
  

• Granting Execute Permission:

  GRANT EXECUTE ON [schema].[stored_procedure] TO [user];
  

Understanding these differences is crucial for properly managing database security and ensuring that users have the appropriate level of access to perform their tasks without compromising the integrity and security of the database.