Data Map

[samurrai]

I'm working to develop some reports (crystal) and some standard clean up queries for a large sequel server DB. The database is rather complex and I've not been given any kind of data map. Is this something that can be auto-generated by sql server or will I need to get this from the original designer?

Thank you for your assistance.

 

[hmckillop]

SQL (or sequel) as you call it, has a thing called a data diagram which can produce diagrammatic format of your tables and relationships (or at least sql 2005 has).
Its not exactly the most user friendly.

There are tons of tools out their to reverse engineer your db, even other tools to document.
I personally find the Access documentor as a handy tool - if you have microsoft access, create a link to your SQL DB and then run the documentor (its one of the options in the access menu). it documents the schema, tables PKs, FKs etc.

Otherwise look on the the net for "reverse engineer SQL"


"I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart

 

[samurrai]

Thank you for your suggestions. Access sounds like an easy way to go about it. Are there any lasting effects to be aware of? I would not want anything I do to actually cause changes on the sql database. Once I have the documentation how can I remove the connection?

 

[hmckillop]

Just create a link from access and link the tables.
Then once done delete the access database (not the tables, but the actual access file) - this removes any issue without touching the data.


"I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart

 

[samurrai]

I created a new Access file and then, created a file DSN on my computer to link to the ODBC data source (my sql databse) and when I try to link the tables the only tables it will let me link are system and information tables... not my actual data tables. Where have I gone wrong?