This is one of those cases where the importance of database documentation comes into play. Now, let’s suppose there needs to be another column which contains a value indicating the subscription status of the customer.
To start, let’s create the Id, FirstName, and LastName columns. The dialog for adding columns also provides a description box for documentation of the column. At the bottom are tabs for adding columns, keys, constraints, etc. A dialog will appear like this:īelow the table name is a description box, allowing the database documentation to be done as part of the design process. Simple database exampleįor this example, we’ll start with an empty database and create the first table, Customer, by right clicking anywhere in the layout view selecting Create Table. Multiple layout views can be created, allowing large designs to be broken down into more managed blocks. There is no preset size restriction, so your diagram can be as wide or as tall as you want. Tables can be dragged and arranged as desired. Once this is done, you’ll be presented with the layout view, which shows all the tables and relationships.
#DBSCHEMA SHOW COLUMNS FREE#
You are free to change database connections at any time and selectively migrate schema changes to it. If the database server is not yet available, or you need to do design work offline, then you can use a local database server running on your machine using SQL Server Express, or any of the open source database programs at no cost. If you have an existing database, the schema can be pulled into the design to automatically generate the visual layout. When starting a new project in DbSchema, you’ll need to provide it with the necessary connection information to an existing database to do the development work so changes to the design in DbSchema are immediately applied the database. For this example, I’ll be using DbSchema to demonstrate how much faster and smoother the database design and documentation process can be.
Several of these tools are available and relatively inexpensive. Changes to the design are kept in sync with the database as documentation output is automatically generated from the design. Documentation can be easily done as the design is made, allowing for much of it to be completed before development even starts. Such tools combine the process of database design, documentation, and applying the design to the actual database. Many of the previously mentioned time-consuming hassles can be avoided by using a proper database design tool. The time and cost benefits of using the right tool for the job far outweighs the cost of the tool. Still, the developer must go through the process of creating all the actual table, column, and relation objects in the actual database, as well as maintaining these documents to record any adjustments made during development. Neither program is able to provide the ideal database documentation of both a visual graph table relation and a spreadsheet style listing of the database table and column details. Typical office spreadsheet and visual flow diagram programs, such as Excel or Visio, are poorly suited for database design, making the whole process very tedious and time consuming.
#DBSCHEMA SHOW COLUMNS SOFTWARE#
This can happen during the early design process or when a software developer responds to design changes. One of the primary reasons software developers put off database documentation is because the process delays or interrupts the flow of getting the design in their minds into whatever tool they are using – often because they are using the wrong software. In Part 1, I wrote about the importance of database documentation and how it often gets overlooked or done at the last minute.