FAQ : How to truncate and shrink Transaction Log file in SQL Server

First of all truncation of transaction log is not a recommended practice. But it is unavoidable if you have not kept proper backup policy and recovery model for your database. Its always better to know the cause and prevention for the transaction log size issue. Refer the following KB for more info

Managing the Size of the Transaction Log File
ahttp://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms365418(SQL.100).aspx
Transaction Log Physical Architecture
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms179355(SQL.100).aspx
Factors That Can Delay Log Truncation
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms345414(SQL.100).aspx


Now coming to the point. If you have no space left with the drive where the Log file is kept and the size of the Transaction Log file is not manageable then its better to shrink the log.

Broadly , you have two steps here.
(a) Mark the inactive part of Trasaction log to release.
(b) Release the marked release portion of Transaction log to OS.

SQL Server 2005

-- Step 1 – Mark the inactive part of the log for release

Use YourDatabaseName
Go
Backup Log YourDatabaseName With Truncate_Only
GO

-- Step 2 - Release the marked space to OS

Declare @LogFileLogicalName sysname
select @LogFileLogicalName=Name from sys.database_files where Type=1
print @LogFileLogicalName

DBCC Shrinkfile(@LogFileLogicalName,100)

Note : If you have single log file the above mentioned script will work. IF you have multiple log file the change the script accordingly

SQl Server 2000

-- Step 1 – Mark the inactive part of the log for release

Use YourDatabaseName
Go
Backup Log YourDatabaseName With Truncate_Only
GO

-- Step 2 - Release the marked space to OS

Declare @LogFileLogicalName sysname
select @LogFileLogicalName=Name from sysfiles where filename like '%.ldf'
print @LogFileLogicalName

DBCC Shrinkfile(@LogFileLogicalName,100)


Note : If you have single log file and the extension of the log file is .LDF the above mentioned script will work. IF you have multiple log file the change the script accordingly

SQL Server 2008

In SQL Server this process have been changed. In 20008, just change the recovery model to simple and then use DBCC SHrinkfile command.

select name,recovery_model_desc from sys.databases
GO
Alter database YourDatabaseName Recovery simple
GO
Declare @LogFileLogicalName sysname
select @LogFileLogicalName=Name from sys.database_files where Type=1
print @LogFileLogicalName

DBCC Shrinkfile(@LogFileLogicalName,100)