The “database offline” status bit indicates that the database is not available for general use. You can determine whether a database is offline by using sp_helpdb. It will show that the database is offline if this bit is set.
When a database is marked offline by load database, a status bit in the sysdatabases table is set and remains set until the successful completion of online database.
The “database offline” status bit works in combination with any existing status bits. It augments the following status bit to provide additional control:
In recovery
The “database offline” status bit overrides the following status bits:
DBO use only
Read only
The following status bits override the “database offline” status bit:
Began upgrade
Bypass recovery
In load
Not recovered
Suspect
Use not recovered
Although the database is not available for general use, you can user these commands when the database is offline:
dump database and dump transaction
load database and load transaction
alter database on device
drop database
online database
dbcc diagnostics (subject to dbcc restrictions)
