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c#sqllinq-to-sqlsqlmetal

How to map a database?


I've created a *.dbml file through sqlmetal tool, which contains a diagram of my database (MSSQL). But, my database has 266 tables and if I open that file in VS2008 and export it via PDF, I've got a terrible document. VS2010 will hung up when opening that file. I need to map this database because I need to create an external tool which will work with it. Is there some conventional approach to learn how this database is created ? I need to know how are the tables connected together (relations) in order to create a tool which will extract data from them. Or, Is there some other tool which can read dbml files and visualize relations between those tables ?


Solution

  • Going over dbml is probably a bad idea. Suggestions:

    1. Reverse engineer using Visio.
    2. Use the Sql Server diagramming tool, available in Sql Management Studio.
    3. Run dbdesc against the database.