Maximum number of tables (260) exceeded

[Walt H]

Hi! I receive the referenced message when i run a view I created in SQL2005
in a SQL2000 install of the same database. Basically it is a union query with
about 9 individual select queries. I am sure this has something to do with a
lack of efficiency in my query structure but I am confounded that it runs in
SQL2005 and not in SQL2000. Any suggestions? Thanks in avance for any help
you can offer...

[Scott Morris]

Umm - lots of things that work in 2005 are not supported in 2000. Assume
otherwise at your own risk - which you have just discovered. In 2000, there
is a limit of 256 tables in a select statement. You will need to change
your logic in some fashion.

[Walt H]

Thanks Scott, after finding an alternate SQL 2000 server install I created
the views and tables and the error message is gone, unfortunatley it is my
production server that generates the error so at a minimum I have at least
determined that the error is NOT version specific but an error nonetheless
standing in my way of success! :0) ...

[--CELKO--]

>> I am confounded that it runs in SQL2005 and not in SQL2000. Any suggestions? <<

Why not just write better code? Seriously, after all my decades (NOT
years) with SQL, I cannot imagine anything properly designed that
would break the limit.

Remember the human interface part of the first SE course you had
before you were allowed to production data? 5 to 7 levels is all a
human being can maintain. Duh.

Find the moron who nested things this deep and kill him. Then re-
write EVERYTHING he wrote and re-write it. Do a Wikipeida on
"spaghetti code" versus "lasagna code" for some of the issues.