datadictionary Wiki & Documentation Rss Feed

Updated Wiki: Home

KenBlanchard — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:44:25 GMT

Project Home Page

Data Dictionary Creator (DDC) is a simple application which helps you document SQL Server databases. It stores all the information in Extended Properties, so it's easier to keep the documentation in sync with the database as it changes.

Take a look at this DDC Walkthrough to see how easy it is to document your database.

Version 1.3.4 (2010/07/18)

Fix work item #26111
Added ClickOnce update support

Note: Previous versions of this application should be un-installed. Due to the fact that the deployment method has changed to use ClickOnce. Also requires .NET Framework 4.0

Version 1.3.3 (2009/12/15)

Added sub level tabs to allow for future view, stored procedure, function, etc. documentation
Added the possibility to exclude tables from the documentation
Sql server 2008 is now recognized by readpreviousproperties.sql
Added additional columns to the gridview & export for more information
Added grouped excel export. Each table is stored on a seperate worksheet
Edited SQL xslt file to add support for unicode characters

Version 1.3.2 (2009/10/08)

Minor tweaks to existing xls templates (Column "schema" brought to first)
Added 2 xls templates "Word Grouped" & "HTML Grouped"
Preload all table information, this stops SMO from making unnecessary round trips, increasing performance

Version 1.3.1 (2008/07/17)

Fixed bug when adding existing additional properties

Version 1.3 (2008/05/29)

Schema/owner support. dbo.tblTest & core.tblTest will be handled as seperate tables
Screen improvement. Window resizing will now stretch controls to take advantage of the available space
Fixed bug when connection to SQL Server Express
Export to SQL will now escape single quotes
Start menu folder will no longer be named (Default)
xls templates will display table schema/owner
Other minor adjustements

Version 1.2 (2006/11/14)

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (2009/09/29)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

Updated Wiki: Home

KenBlanchard — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:18:29 GMT

Project Home Page

Version 1.3.4 (2010/07/18)

Fix work item #26111
Added ClickOnce update support

Note: Previous versions of this application should be un-installed. Due to the fact that the deployment method has changed to use ClickOnce.

Version 1.3.3 (2009/12/15)

Added sub level tabs to allow for future view, stored procedure, function, etc. documentation
Added the possibility to exclude tables from the documentation
Sql server 2008 is now recognized by readpreviousproperties.sql
Added additional columns to the gridview & export for more information
Added grouped excel export. Each table is stored on a seperate worksheet
Edited SQL xslt file to add support for unicode characters

Version 1.3.2 (2009/10/08)

Minor tweaks to existing xls templates (Column "schema" brought to first)
Added 2 xls templates "Word Grouped" & "HTML Grouped"
Preload all table information, this stops SMO from making unnecessary round trips, increasing performance

Version 1.3.1 (2008/07/17)

Fixed bug when adding existing additional properties

Version 1.3 (2008/05/29)

Schema/owner support. dbo.tblTest & core.tblTest will be handled as seperate tables
Screen improvement. Window resizing will now stretch controls to take advantage of the available space
Fixed bug when connection to SQL Server Express
Export to SQL will now escape single quotes
Start menu folder will no longer be named (Default)
xls templates will display table schema/owner
Other minor adjustements

Version 1.2 (2006/11/14)

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (2009/09/29)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

Updated Wiki: Home

KenBlanchard — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:18:05 GMT

Project Home Page

Version 1.3.4 (2010/07/18)

- Fix work item #26111
- Added ClickOnce update support

Note: Previous versions of this application should be un-installed. Due to the fact that the deployment method has changed to use ClickOnce.

Version 1.3.3 (2009/12/15)

Added sub level tabs to allow for future view, stored procedure, function, etc. documentation
Added the possibility to exclude tables from the documentation
Sql server 2008 is now recognized by readpreviousproperties.sql
Added additional columns to the gridview & export for more information
Added grouped excel export. Each table is stored on a seperate worksheet
Edited SQL xslt file to add support for unicode characters

Version 1.3.2 (2009/10/08)

Minor tweaks to existing xls templates (Column "schema" brought to first)
Added 2 xls templates "Word Grouped" & "HTML Grouped"
Preload all table information, this stops SMO from making unnecessary round trips, increasing performance

Version 1.3.1 (2008/07/17)

Fixed bug when adding existing additional properties

Version 1.3 (2008/05/29)

Schema/owner support. dbo.tblTest & core.tblTest will be handled as seperate tables
Screen improvement. Window resizing will now stretch controls to take advantage of the available space
Fixed bug when connection to SQL Server Express
Export to SQL will now escape single quotes
Start menu folder will no longer be named (Default)
xls templates will display table schema/owner
Other minor adjustements

Version 1.2 (2006/11/14)

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (2009/09/29)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

Updated Wiki: Home

KenBlanchard — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:17:38 GMT

Project Home Page

Version 1.3.4

Version 1.3.3 (2009/12/15)

Added sub level tabs to allow for future view, stored procedure, function, etc. documentation
Added the possibility to exclude tables from the documentation
Sql server 2008 is now recognized by readpreviousproperties.sql
Added additional columns to the gridview & export for more information
Added grouped excel export. Each table is stored on a seperate worksheet
Edited SQL xslt file to add support for unicode characters

Version 1.3.2 (2009/10/08)

Minor tweaks to existing xls templates (Column "schema" brought to first)
Added 2 xls templates "Word Grouped" & "HTML Grouped"
Preload all table information, this stops SMO from making unnecessary round trips, increasing performance

Version 1.3.1 (2008/07/17)

Fixed bug when adding existing additional properties

Version 1.3 (2008/05/29)

Schema/owner support. dbo.tblTest & core.tblTest will be handled as seperate tables
Screen improvement. Window resizing will now stretch controls to take advantage of the available space
Fixed bug when connection to SQL Server Express
Export to SQL will now escape single quotes
Start menu folder will no longer be named (Default)
xls templates will display table schema/owner
Other minor adjustements

Version 1.2 (2006/11/14)

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (2009/09/29)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

Updated Wiki: Home

KenBlanchard — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:08:11 GMT

Project Home Page
Data Dictionary Creator (DDC) is a simple application which helps you document SQL Server databases. It stores all the information in Extended Properties, so it's easier to keep the documentation in sync with the database as it changes.

Take a look at this DDC Walkthrough to see how easy it is to document your database.

Version 1.3.4
- Fix work item #26111
- Added ClickOnce update support

Note: Previous versions of this application should be un-installed. Due to the fact that the deployment method has changed to use ClickOnce.

Version 1.3.3 (2009/12/15)

Added sub level tabs to allow for future view, stored procedure, function, etc. documentation
Added the possibility to exclude tables from the documentation
Sql server 2008 is now recognized by readpreviousproperties.sql
Added additional columns to the gridview & export for more information
Added grouped excel export. Each table is stored on a seperate worksheet
Edited SQL xslt file to add support for unicode characters

Version 1.3.2 (2009/10/08)

Minor tweaks to existing xls templates (Column "schema" brought to first)
Added 2 xls templates "Word Grouped" & "HTML Grouped"
Preload all table information, this stops SMO from making unnecessary round trips, increasing performance

Version 1.3.1 (2008/07/17)

Fixed bug when adding existing additional properties

Version 1.3 (2008/05/29)

Schema/owner support. dbo.tblTest & core.tblTest will be handled as seperate tables
Screen improvement. Window resizing will now stretch controls to take advantage of the available space
Fixed bug when connection to SQL Server Express
Export to SQL will now escape single quotes
Start menu folder will no longer be named (Default)
xls templates will display table schema/owner
Other minor adjustements

Version 1.2 (2006/11/14)

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (2009/09/29)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

New Comment on "DDC Walkthrough"

airyce — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 01:43:35 GMT

yeah it looks great but it doesn't work on us! we have a SQL 2005 here so after we had used it this is the error : every object we clicked it shows that error (>.>) =============================================== See the end of this message for details on invoking just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box. ************** Exception Text ************** System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.SqlServer.ConnectionInfo, Version=10.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=89845dcd8080cc91' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified. File name: 'Microsoft.SqlServer.ConnectionInfo, Version=10.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=89845dcd8080cc91' at DataDictionaryCreator.Main.DocumentationSetup(String sqlConnectionString) at DataDictionaryCreator.Main.MainForm_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e) at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e) at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl() at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl() at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam) WRN: Assembly binding logging is turned OFF. To enable assembly bind failure logging, set the registry value [HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Fusion!EnableLog] (DWORD) to 1. Note: There is some performance penalty associated with assembly bind failure logging. To turn this feature off, remove the registry value [HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Fusion!EnableLog]. ************** Loaded Assemblies ************** mscorlib Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3603 (GDR.050727-3600) CodeBase: file:///c:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll ---------------------------------------- DataDictionaryCreator Assembly Version: 1.2.0.0 Win32 Version: 1.2.0.0 CodeBase: file:///E:/Program%20Files/DataDictionaryCreator/DataDictionaryCreator.exe ---------------------------------------- System.Windows.Forms Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000) CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll ---------------------------------------- System Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000) CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll ---------------------------------------- System.Drawing Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000) CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll ---------------------------------------- System.Configuration Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000) CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll ---------------------------------------- System.Xml Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3082 (QFE.050727-3000) CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll ---------------------------------------- Accessibility Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000) CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Accessibility/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Accessibility.dll ---------------------------------------- System.Data Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000) CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_32/System.Data/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Data.dll ---------------------------------------- ************** JIT Debugging ************** To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this application or computer (machine.config) must have the jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section. The application must also be compiled with debugging enabled. For example: <configuration> <system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" /> </configuration> When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer rather than be handled by this dialog box.

Updated Wiki: Home

KenBlanchard — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:17:53 GMT

Added sub level tabs to allow for future view, stored procedure, function, etc. documentation
Added the possibility to exclude tables from the documentation
Sql server 2008 is now recognized by readpreviousproperties.sql
Added additional columns to the gridview & export for more information
Added grouped excel export. Each table is stored on a seperate worksheet
Edited SQL xslt file to add support for unicode characters

Version 1.3.2 (2009/10/08)

Minor tweaks to existing xls templates (Column "schema" brought to first)
Added 2 xls templates "Word Grouped" & "HTML Grouped"
Preload all table information, this stops SMO from making unnecessary round trips, increasing performance

Version 1.3.1 (2008/07/17)

Fixed bug when adding existing additional properties

Version 1.3 (2008/05/29)

Schema/owner support. dbo.tblTest & core.tblTest will be handled as seperate tables
Screen improvement. Window resizing will now stretch controls to take advantage of the available space
Fixed bug when connection to SQL Server Express
Export to SQL will now escape single quotes
Start menu folder will no longer be named (Default)
xls templates will display table schema/owner
Other minor adjustements

Version 1.2 (2006/11/14)

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (2009/09/29)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

Updated Wiki: Home

Blade_316 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:24:14 GMT

Minor tweaks to existing xls templates (Column "schema" brought to first)
Added 2 xls templates "Word Grouped" & "HTML Grouped"
Preload all table information, this stops SMO from making unnecessary round trips, increasing performance

Version 1.3.1 (17/07/08)

Fixed bug when adding existing additional properties

Version 1.3 (29/05/08)

Schema/owner support. dbo.tblTest & core.tblTest will be handled as seperate tables
Screen improvement. Window resizing will now stretch controls to take advantage of the available space
Fixed bug when connection to SQL Server Express
Export to SQL will now escape single quotes
Start menu folder will no longer be named (Default)
xls templates will display table schema/owner
Other minor adjustements

Version 1.2 (11/14/06)

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (9/29/06)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

Updated Wiki: Home

Blade_316 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:15:02 GMT

Minor tweaks to existing xls templates (Column "schema" brought to first)
Added 2 xls templates "Word Grouped" & "HTML Grouped"
Preload all table information, this stops SMO from making unnecessary round trips. Increasing performance X 9000

Version 1.3.1 (17/07/08)

Fixed bug when adding existing additional properties

Version 1.3 (29/05/08)

Schema/owner support. dbo.tblTest & core.tblTest will be handled as seperate tables
Screen improvement. Window resizing will now stretch controls to take advantage of the available space
Fixed bug when connection to SQL Server Express
Export to SQL will now escape single quotes
Start menu folder will no longer be named (Default)
xls templates will display table schema/owner
Other minor adjustements

Version 1.2 (11/14/06)

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (9/29/06)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

Updated Wiki: Home

Blade_316 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:13:56 GMT

Minor tweaks to existing xls templates (Column "schema" brought to first)
Added 2 xls templates "Word Grouped" & "HTML Grouped"
Preload all table information, this stops SMO from making unnecessary round trips. Increasing performance X 9000

Version 1.3.1 (17/07/08)

Fixed bug when adding existing additional properties

Version 1.3 (29/05/08)

Schema/owner support. dbo.tblTest & core.tblTest will be handled as seperate tables
Screen improvement. Window resizing will now stretch controls to take advantage of the available space
Fixed bug when connection to SQL Server Express
Export to SQL will now escape single quotes
Start menu folder will no longer be named (Default)
xls templates will display table schema/owner
Other minor adjustements

Version 1.2 (11/14/06)

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (9/29/06)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

Updated Wiki: Home

Blade_316 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:49:46 GMT

Fixed bug when adding existing additional properties

Version 1.3 (29/05/08)

Schema/owner support. dbo.tblTest & core.tblTest will be handled as seperate tables
Screen improvement. Window resizing will now stretch controls to take advantage of the available space
Fixed bug when connection to SQL Server Express
Export to SQL will now escape single quotes
Start menu folder will no longer be named (Default)
xls templates will display table schema/owner
Other minor adjustements

Version 1.2 (11/14/06)

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (9/29/06)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

UPDATED WIKI: Home

Blade_316 — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:14:53 GMT

Schema/owner support. dbo.tblTest & core.tblTest will be handled as seperate tables
Screen improvement. Window resizing will now stretch controls to take advantage of the available space
Fixed bug when connection to SQL Server Express
Export to SQL will now escape single quotes
Start menu folder will no longer be named (Default)
xls templates will display table schema/owner
Other minor adjustements

NEW Version 1.2 (11/14/06)

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (9/29/06)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

UPDATED WIKI: Home

jongalloway — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:18:02 GMT

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (9/29/06)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

UPDATED WIKI: Home

jongalloway — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:43:56 GMT

Added documentation of tables as well as columns
Changed Excel export from HTML based to XMLSpreadsheet to support separate worksheets for Table and Column documentation
Improved error handling - detection of non-DBO logins, etc.
(UI) - tab reorganization to fit workflow a little better
(UI) - moved feedback and progress bars to statusbar for consistency
Support for SQL 2000 and 2005 export scripts (there were several breaking changes from 2000 to 2005)
Limited import functionality (SQL and XML)
Added Installer

Version 1.1 (9/29/06)

T-SQL export to allow copying documentation between database instances (thanks, Tyler!)
Loads previously used additional properties from database on connection
User interface enhancements
Bug fixes

UPDATED WIKI: DDC Walkthrough

jongalloway — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:35:37 GMT

Documenting databases is fun again!

No, not really. But a least it's not a complete waste of time. Unlike those data documents you've written in the past, this one lives with your database (in SQL Server Extended Properties) so it stays up to date. Follow along and we'll show you how easy it is to create useful documentation for that good old Northwind database...

Make a connection

The first step is to connect to a database. You can enter a connection string or click on the "..." button to view the standard data connection dialog.

Hit the ground running - get advanced!

You can breeze right by the next tab (Advanced Settings) if you'd like, but it's got some neat gizmos that could save you some time. The two big features:

Auto-Fill - this looks at you schema and adds descriptions for primary and foreign keys. You can customize the text these use.
Additional Properties - By default, you're only filling in a simple "Description" tab. If you'd like add other columns to your documentation, you're going to want to look at Additional Properties.

Document that DB

This is where the rubber meets the road. You're going to need to fill this out, but we've made it a lot easier for you:

The user interface shows you column names and datatypes to help you remember what all those columns are used for.
The datagrid lets you move around pretty quickly
Your work is saved immediately, so you can work on it as time permits. Your edits are saved with the database.

Show off!

Now that you've documented your database, you can export it to share with others. There are two ways to share it:

Documentation formats (Word, Excel, HTML)
Importable formats (T-SQL, XML) - these let other users import your documentation into their copy of the database

Copy that documentation with Import

You can use the Import tab to load previously exported documentation. Browser for a T-SQL or XML export from DDC. We do a few checks to make sure the file was created by DDC, then load the documentation into the currently connected database.

UPDATED WIKI: DDC Walkthrough

jongalloway — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:32:09 GMT

Make a connection

The first step is to connect to a database. You can enter a connection string or click on the "..." button to view the standard data connection dialog.

Hit the ground running - get advanced!

You can breeze right by the next tab (Advanced Settings) if you'd like, but it's got some neat gizmos that could save you some time. The two big features:

Auto-Fill - this looks at you schema and adds descriptions for primary and foreign keys. You can customize the text these use.
Additional Properties - By default, you're only filling in a simple "Description" tab. If you'd like add other columns to your documentation, you're going to want to look at Additional Properties.

Document that DB

This is where the rubber meets the road. You're going to need to fill this out, but we've made it a lot easier for you:

The user interface shows you column names and datatypes to help you remember what all those columns are used for.
The datagrid lets you move around pretty quickly
Your work is saved immediately, so you can work on it as time permits. Your edits are saved with the database.

Show off!

Now that you've documented your database, you can export it to share with others. There are two ways to share it:

Documentation formats (Word, Excel, HTML)
Importable formats (T-SQL, XML) - these let other users import your documentation into their copy of the database

Here's what the export looks like in Excel. Note that the Table and Column documentation are on separate worksheets. Feel free to pick your favorite AutoFormat to pretty this up.

Here's the HTML export:

The next two formats are importable. The T-SQL export can be executed via Query Analyzer / SSMS, or it can be loaded by DDC.

Here's the XML format. The only reasons you'd want to use this are to import into another copy of the database via DDC, or to export to another format. All file exports actually start with XML and go through an XSL transform. You can check out the XSL folder and modify any of these, or create your own.

!!Copy that documentation with Import
You can use the Import tab to load previously exported documentation. Browser for a T-SQL or XML export from DDC. We do a few checks to make sure the file was created by DDC, then load the documentation into the currently connected database.

UPDATED WIKI: DDC Walkthrough

jongalloway — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:31:32 GMT

!!Make a connection
The first step is to connect to a database. You can enter a connection string or click on the "..." button to view the standard data connection dialog.

!!Hit the ground running - get advanced!
You can breeze right by the next tab (Advanced Settings) if you'd like, but it's got some neat gizmos that could save you some time. The two big features:

Auto-Fill - this looks at you schema and adds descriptions for primary and foreign keys. You can customize the text these use.
Additional Properties - By default, you're only filling in a simple "Description" tab. If you'd like add other columns to your documentation, you're going to want to look at Additional Properties.

!!Document that DB
This is where the rubber meets the road. You're going to need to fill this out, but we've made it a lot easier for you:

The user interface shows you column names and datatypes to help you remember what all those columns are used for.
The datagrid lets you move around pretty quickly
Your work is saved immediately, so you can work on it as time permits. Your edits are saved with the database.

!!Show it off
Now that you've documented your database, you can export it to share with others. There are two ways to share it:

Documentation formats (Word, Excel, HTML)
Importable formats (T-SQL, XML) - these let other users import your documentation into their copy of the database

UPDATED WIKI: DDC Walkthrough

jongalloway — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:22:17 GMT

The first step is to connect to a database. You can enter a connection string or click on the "..." button to view the standard data connection dialog.

You can breeze right by the next tab (Advanced Settings) if you'd like, but it's got some neat gizmos that could save you some time. The two big features:

Auto-Fill - this looks at you schema and adds descriptions for primary and foreign keys. You can customize the text these use.
Additional Properties - By default, you're only filling in a simple "Description" tab. If you'd like add other columns to your documentation, you're going to want to look at Additional Properties.

This is where the rubber meets the road. You're going to need to fill this out, but we've made it a lot easier for you:

The user interface shows you column names and datatypes to help you remember what all those columns are used for.
The datagrid lets you move around pretty quickly
Your work is saved immediately, so you can work on it as time permits. Your edits are saved with the database.

Now that you've documented your database, you can export it to share with others. There are two ways to share it:

Documentation formats (Word, Excel, HTML)
Importable formats (T-SQL, XML) - these let other users import your documentation into their copy of the database

Here's what the export looks like in Excel. Note that the Table and Column documentation are on separate worksheets. Feel free to pick your favorite AutoFormat to pretty this up.

Here's the HTML export:

The next two formats are importable. The T-SQL export can be executed via Query Analyzer / SSMS, or it can be loaded by DDC.

Here's the XML format. The only reasons you'd want to use this are to import into another copy of the database via DDC, or to export to another format. All file exports actually start with XML and go through an XSL transform. You can check out the XSL folder and modify any of these, or create your own.

You can use the Import tab to load previously exported documentation. Browser for a T-SQL or XML export from DDC. We do a few checks to make sure the file was created by DDC, then load the documentation into the currently connected database.

UPDATED WIKI: DDC Walkthrough

jongalloway — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:06:03 GMT

UPDATED WIKI: DDC Walkthrough

jongalloway — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:05:11 GMT

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