>>>>>>>I think that xp_cmdshell is contained in the Master database, but if I don't see that database in my SQL Server Management Studio, what do I need to do?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Look under Databases/system databases
>>>>>
>>>>>Ok, I found this tree:
>>>>>
>>>>>

>>>>>NTSERVER
>>>>>----- Databases
>>>>>---------- System Databases
>>>>>--------------- master
>>>>>-------------------- Tables
>>>>>------------------------- System Tables
>>>>>

>>>>>
>>>>>Where do I find the xp_cmdshell? There are other branches, like Views, Synonums, etc. but I didn't see that in them.
>>>>
>>>>Under Master, look at Programmability/Extended stored Procedures/system Extended Stored Procedures
>>>
>>>It has a sys prefix. It is dbo in the script I inherited. Does that matter?
>>
>>Normally you would refer to master.dbo.xp_cmdshell(). If you are already USING master, then dbo.cmdshell() will work.
>
>Why would you need to use Master? :) You would want to use your database.

Normally you do not use master. There are times when you are just accessing extended system procedures where using master makes syntax easier.