generate data dictionary from sql server

#Generate data dictionary from sql server how to
#Generate data dictionary from sql server full

(The script for this table can be found in Appendix A) Then, we’ll create the table, of the same name, for storing the data in the Data dictionary information.

We’ll decided to call it “DataDictionary”. So, let’s create a database which will be used as a repository. This repository filled with the data from the XML export, will become our data dictionary The next part is the creation of the repository, which will exist as a database table in SQL Server itself. ĭay 4:ěaseline snapshot version 2 = Newer version of database (no changes).Write a version of the database (changes only to the data dictionary)Ĭreate a new baseline using the newer version of the database Each time changes are discovered between the baseline snapshot and the database we are working on, we’ll replace our baseline snapshot with a newer version, so it can be used as a baseline on the next comparison to check for any changesĭay 1:ěaseline snapshot = Database (no changes)ĭay 2:ěaseline snapshot = Database (no changes)ĭay 3:ěaseline snapshot < Database (changes) This snapshot will serve as our initial baseline. This will all be done by the PowerShell script, which will manage the baseline snapshots for us We’ll create an initial snapshot and save it to the Root path (as specified in the Config file) using ApexSQL Diff.

Snapshots can be created directly from ApexSQL Diff and can be used by ApexSQL Diff to compare to a database to produce a difference export, which we’ll be using later in the article To accomplish this, we’ll use ApexSQL schema snapshots, a proprietary and lightweight file that contains an entire database schema. To do this we’ll need to establish (and periodically reset) the baseline and compare it to our actual database To create a “Smart” data dictionary, our dictionary much be “change aware” so that it only writes changes (new, updated and deleted objects). The first step in the process of creating a Data dictionary is setting up the data sources. The config file must be located in the same directory as the PowerShell script Learn more about different options for handling database credentials hereĪ configuration file (config.xml), that provides the name of the SQL Server and the Database where the Data dictionary is located and also provides SQL Server and the Database name which changes we are tracking. For SQL Server authentication the script can be modified to use encrypted credentials stored in the project file itself. Integrated security for database connectivity. ApexSQL Diff is a 3 rd party tool for comparing SQL Server schemas.

#Generate data dictionary from sql server full

The created Data dictionary can be later used for various things like querying to see the full history of object changes or to create aggregate exports showing database change statistics that will be covered in a separate article.ĪpexSQL Diff Professional edition (as this task requires the CLI).

#Generate data dictionary from sql server how to

Now that we’ve whetted your appetite, this article will explain how to create a smart data dictionary using XML schema change exports from ApexSQL Diff. The article also described the difference between a Dumb and a Smart data dictionary. In the article, “What is a data dictionary and why would I want to build one?” a data dictionary was described and compared to other alternatives to documenting, auditing and versioning a database.