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Generate XML document from database schema

  • September 21, 2004 at 1:56 pm

    #84193

    I'm trying to create a cross-platform Data Dictionary.  Does anyone know of a way to generate an XML doc that will describe the structure of a database?

    What I'm thinking is I will design a general database description format in XML and then find or create a tool that can generate the XML schema by connecting to an ODBC datasource for either SQL Server, DB2, Informix or an MS Access database. 

    Then I'll import the XML files into a SQL database using reporting services to display the data in a searchable format.

    I have a feeling if I have to create one I'll end up creating a separate import tool for each separate database type.


    "I met Larry Niven at ConClave 27...AND I fixed his computer. How cool is that?"
    (Memoirs of a geek)

  • September 22, 2004 at 1:06 pm

    #524052

    Hey,

    You can generate a document using INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS, using the FOR XML method.  For this to work successfully, this can be quite the pain, especially to include a root element.

    If you can use .NET, read the data and write an XML file using the dataset object.  This makes your data generally accessible to other database tools through the .NET providers.

    I believe you can create a schema also based on a dataset or XML file by generating one, at least in the designer.

    Brian

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