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lfmn
Posting Yak Master
141 Posts |
 Posted - 2002-04-11 : 10:03:17
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| I've been tasked with creating a 'Data Dictionary' for our databases. Naturally the team has fallen to squabbling about what a data dictionary is and what should be included. Although I don't think that there is a definition set in stone, I'd like to know if anyone knows of any good resources for building a data dictionary, or does anyone have a good definition of what it is and how to create one? I thought I knew, but after a long unproductive meeting, I need a second opinion (or third,fourth and fifth opinion) to either validate my position, or I let me know that I need to re-think my position.Thanks for any help you can offerSQL is useful if you don't know cursors :-) |
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robvolk
Most Valuable Yak
15732 Posts |
Posted - 2002-04-11 : 10:32:26
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| I found this definition:http://searchhp.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid6_gci211896,00.htmlIf nothing else, at least it'll give you and your co-workers a starting point.According to that definition, you'll need to utilize Entity-Relationship (E-R) or data modeling software (ERwin, Silverrun, and others) MS Visio is capable of reverse-engineering an existing database and creating an E-R diagram, including any existing FOREIGN KEY references. From there, you can annotate and edit the diagram to explain each table's purpose.You can supplement this with basic metadata information from the INFORMATION_SCHEMA views; they list all the tables, columns, constraints, etc. including data types. Books Online has more details on the available INFORMATION_SCHEMA views.HTH |
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efelito
Constraint Violating Yak Guru
478 Posts |
Posted - 2002-04-11 : 10:40:08
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| As everything in the database world, it depends. I have a couple of data dictionaries that I create for clients when requested. The most basic on is just a listing of the table and view structure. This includes a list column names, datatypes, nullability, and default values for each table in the database. This is usually given to the developers and used as a quick reference. The more complex version contains the whole ball of wax. It has all of the information listed above, plus a description of each field, a list of indexes on the table, a list of triggers with descriptions, and a list of objects that reference and are referenced by the table. This along with an ErWin diagram are the two main pieces of database doucmentation.Jeff BanschbachConsultant, MCDBA |
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lfmn
Posting Yak Master
141 Posts |
Posted - 2002-04-12 : 09:12:44
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| Thanks to both of you for your help.SQL is useful if you don't know cursors :-) |
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Data Dictionary