Log in

View Full Version : SQL Server Schema viewer?

timwilky
02-02-06, 02:21 PM
Can somebody recommend a good free tool to browse a Microsoft SQLServer schema. I seem have inherited responsibility for a crap app that uses SQLServer (Where is the spit emoticon?)and want to build some decent reports from the stored data instead of the limited stuff available from the app.

I have grown up with Oracle and MySQL and now have to fight the dark side. At present I just need to browse and attempt to work out where my required data is. Then I get my Java toolkit out and knife and fork it.
TSM
02-02-06, 02:22 PM
Microsoft Query Analyser is good enough (Comes with SQL Server or MSDE SQL), it will also tell you the cost of a query and all its parts so you can optimise it.
Iceman
02-02-06, 02:28 PM
I have used this free tool in the past to view SQL Data

http://www.asql.biz/DbaMgr.shtm
mysteryjimbo
02-02-06, 02:32 PM
If you come into some cash, red gate and idera do some cool stuff too. :)
timwilky
02-02-06, 03:15 PM
What do I want to achieve?

I want to visualise the available schema. See what tables exists and fields within. view constraints. then to drill down on the data.

The app authors refuse to provide a schema definition as they say it is their intellectual property and are supprised that we do not wish to buy their reporting tools
TSM
02-02-06, 03:19 PM
If you have access to the SQL server, there is a tool with the MGMT console to create a relation table and show you all the links etc...

You can also just link to the SQL server with MS Access (Access Project) and it will also give you all the DB information.
timwilky
02-02-06, 03:50 PM
If you have access to the SQL server, there is a tool with the MGMT console to create a relation table and show you all the links etc...

You can also just link to the SQL server with MS Access (Access Project) and it will also give you all the DB information.

Thanks for the heads up on this. Diagram creation is taking place. only 170 tables so a small DB. will I get a traditional ERD?
localhost
02-02-06, 04:05 PM
I sort of like MSSQL with query analyzer.

It's not as cool as MySQL console, but it's very nice!
And now im used to it, so i prefer it
RichMercer
13-04-06, 10:13 PM
If you have Microsoft Visio, that can be used to reverse engineer a SQL Database.
Gnan
13-04-06, 10:16 PM
I sort of like MSSQL with query analyzer.

It's not as cool as MySQL console, but it's very nice!
And now im used to it, so i prefer it

lies, lies! mySQL is friggin awful..
localhost
14-04-06, 06:11 AM
I sort of like MSSQL with query analyzer.

It's not as cool as MySQL console, but it's very nice!
And now im used to it, so i prefer it

lies, lies! mySQL is friggin awful..

I said i like MS SQL. Then i said that it's not as cool as MySql with it's console (this is to be taken more like a joke).
MySql with it's console is the worst way you can work.
Anyone who writes all their sql queries in MySql console is bound to go mad or is mad already.

Get query analyzer, or the new one that they brought out with visual studio 2005, thats nice as well.