How to check if a function exists in a SQL database?

Solution 1:

This is what SSMS uses when you script using the DROP and CREATE option

IF EXISTS (SELECT *
           FROM   sys.objects
           WHERE  object_id = OBJECT_ID(N'[dbo].[foo]')
                  AND type IN ( N'FN', N'IF', N'TF', N'FS', N'FT' ))
  DROP FUNCTION [dbo].[foo]

GO 

This approach to deploying changes means that you need to recreate all permissions on the object so you might consider ALTER-ing if Exists instead.

Solution 2:

I tend to use the Information_Schema:

IF EXISTS ( SELECT  1
            FROM    Information_schema.Routines
            WHERE   Specific_schema = 'dbo'
                    AND specific_name = 'Foo'
                    AND Routine_Type = 'FUNCTION' ) 

for functions, and change Routine_Type for stored procedures

IF EXISTS ( SELECT  1
            FROM    Information_schema.Routines
            WHERE   Specific_schema = 'dbo'
                    AND specific_name = 'Foo'
                    AND Routine_Type = 'PROCEDURE' )