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Preparing “Data Dictionary” using SQL Query

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7 Oct 2011CPOL 17.1K   2   3

Introduction


Documentation plays an important role whereas "Data Dictionary" gives the idea about data stored using application.

Solution


So here is the query for preparing the data dictionary of any database.
SQL
SELECT [Table Name] = OBJECT_NAME(c.object_id)
,[Column Name] = c.name
,[Data Type] = t.name
,[Size] = c.max_length
,[Description] = isnull(ex.value,'')
FROM sys.columns c
LEFT OUTER JOIN sys.extended_properties ex ON (ex.major_id = c.object_id AND ex.minor_id = c.column_id AND ex.name = 'MS_Description')
INNER JOIN sys.types t ON c.system_type_id = t.system_type_id
WHERE OBJECTPROPERTY(c.object_id, 'IsMsShipped')=0
AND OBJECT_NAME(c.object_id) in (select name from sys.tables where type= 'U')
ORDER BY OBJECT_NAME(c.object_id), c.column_id


Enhancement


You can add/remove columns which you want to include from the definition of the table (if any other required - i.e. if you want to display whether the column is null/not null, just include the field from sys.objects table and so on).

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)


Written By
Software Developer (Senior) Cygnet Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
India India
This member has not yet provided a Biography. Assume it's interesting and varied, and probably something to do with programming.

Comments and Discussions

 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 Nice my 5 Pin
Tejas Vaishnav18-Nov-11 18:03
professionalTejas Vaishnav18-Nov-11 18:03 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 thanks Pin
magicpapacy11-Oct-11 21:07
magicpapacy11-Oct-11 21:07 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 Nice Pin
kiran dangar6-Oct-11 23:55
kiran dangar6-Oct-11 23:55 

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