Suggestion: Text Reports

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  Here's another example query I would love to ask the underlying data: which views out of 200+ involve tables A, B and X?
  
  That would allow me to possibly reuse a view rather than end up re-inventing the wheel.
  
  - alphadog
  
  PS: I am available for consultantion for a small fee...

  alphadog March 28, 2006 16:10

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  Whilst the functionality isn't availble by constructing a query, it is possible to do what you want with Dependency Tracker... I think.
  
  For example, your second scenario, you could selectively add just those three tables and all views. On the diagram, if there's any relationship they'll be shown.
  
  Hope I've understood what you are tyring to do, but I do ocassionally drink lead paint so I may have got the wrong end of the stick...
  
  
  
  Dom

  Dominick Reed March 29, 2006 04:53

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  Yes, it is possible already. But, the result would be visual/graphical, which is great for top-level viewing. Then, let's say I want to then work on changing things correctly. I'd rather have a textual print-out, maybe to check off as I do my work for example.
  
  I hear 1998 was a good year for lead paint.
  
  - alphadog

  alphadog March 29, 2006 09:11

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  Hi Alphadog,
  
  
  We don't support text output as such, but you can generate an XML report of the dependencies in your database by going to File > Export > XML. You can then do whatever post-processing on the data you like.
  
  Hope that helps.
  
  
  Many thanks,

  Bart Read March 29, 2006 11:09

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  Hi,
  
  I think Alphadog's points are key here. Whilst the dependency viewer is a powerful tool, with the powerful graphical interface, the real point is that the power is in the behind the scenes dependancy logic which is I believe Redgate's proprietory algorithm. Its more complete, acurate and reliable than the sysdepends data.
  
  As a database developer I would far rather have this information in a queryable (the XML is great) format and be able to add that into our build process, and automated documentation. I wouldn't necessarily buy the product for the fancy interface, but for the more reliable dependency data.
  
  I would want a command line option that would give me the XML output for a particular database that I could then query.
  
  Even better, can you not add that functionality into SQL Compare, so where you can save a snap shot, beable to save the dependancy data. (Am I right in thinking this is used internally in SQLCompare, so it should be possible to do.) I'm not trying to get something for nothing ;-) but having played with the new version today, the only thing I would use regularly is the XML output, and the list and tree view in the toolbar. The diagram, while clever and impressive, is too slow and complicated for databases with many (100's - 1000s) of schema and interface objects.
  
  I say keep it simple. Still a very impressive product, (not sure about the odd menu interface :? )
  
  Thanks
  
  Alex Weatherall
  TeleWare.com

  alex.weatherall March 30, 2006 08:16

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  Hi Alex,
  
  
  I think you raise some valid points there: in a lot of situations you're not really concerned with a nice diagram necessarily, but just want an accurate impression of the dependencies that exist within a database.
  
  The XML reporting will do this, and perhaps at some point we might add a command line to SQL Dependency Tracker to allow automation. As for integrating this function with SQL Compare, it would be difficult since SQL Compare does not handle the cross-database and cross-server dependencies that SQL Dependency Tracker does. However, I think there's definitely a compelling argument for possibly introducing automation support for the product sometime in the future.
  
  
  Thanks,

  Bart Read March 30, 2006 08:37

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  Hi,
  
  Just written a really long addendum to my post but login timed out and I lost it!! Doh! :oops:
  
  I was just commenting that the other area that DT handles, that has been a bugbear of mine for ages, is Deferred Name Resolution. It's hit and miss (seems to only work with 2 part names - a habit I try to stick to but why not a one part name? :?: ) But at least it does report missing tables, views and table functions that are referenced by stored procedures.
  
  If DNR references were tightened up. I'd definitely consider getting DT. But again, I would not want the diagrams. Is it possible to add a "fast mode" where you just load the objects in and are able to traverse the object tree in the toolbars without waiting for the diagrammer to catch up. I did select all on one of my databases and it took over a minute to select the objects in the diagram. I just don't see it being responsive enough.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Alex Weatherall
  TeleWare.com

  alex.weatherall March 30, 2006 09:38

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  Alex:
  
  Here's what I do. First, save your project. Then, close and re-open it. Don't select a diagram type, that way nothing is diplayed graphically. You can navigate dependencies without the redraw slowing things down.
  
  I'd definitely want a "Hide Diagram" option. I guess you could "Select All" and then "Hide" with the buttons above the diagram, but with large databases, "Select All" is very slow. A single button "Hide All", or just being able to close/open both diagram windows would be better.
  
  - alphadog

  alphadog March 30, 2006 09:57

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  Hi there,
  
  
  Quite true: we are aware of the Select All/None etc issues, and I'm pleased to say they've already been fixed so you'll find this a lot more satisfactory in the final release.
  
  
  Thanks,

  Bart Read March 30, 2006 10:02

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  alphadog wrote:

  Alex:
  
  Here's what I do. First, save your project. Then, close and re-open it. Don't select a diagram type, that way nothing is diplayed graphically. You can navigate dependencies without the redraw slowing things down.
  
  I'd definitely want a "Hide Diagram" option. I guess you could "Select All" and then "Hide" with the buttons above the diagram, but with large databases, "Select All" is very slow. A single button "Hide All", or just being able to close/open both diagram windows would be better.
  
  - alphadog

  
  Hi alphadog,
  
  
  Do you see this every time you open a project? I assume you mean a big grey square where the diagram would normally appear? This has just happened to me (it's definitely not supposed to BTW) but I can't reproduce it again.
  
  Can you let me know a bit more about the spec of your PC please? E.g. processor type, speed, dual core, hyperthreading or anything like that would be most helpful.
  
  
  Many thanks,

  Bart Read March 30, 2006 11:00

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  Bart:
  
  If I open a saved project, the visual diagram window shows "You have no objects in your project", until you "Reapply Layout" with the button at the top of that window, or select a new graph type.
  
  My machine is a Dell Optiplex GX280, P4 540, i915G chipset, 2GB RAM running WinXP SP2, Hyperthreading is off. If you need more, I can get you a full export...

  alphadog March 30, 2006 13:41

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  OK, thanks very much for this alphadog. I've added this to the bug report I filed yesterday about seeing a big grey square instead of the graph and it'll be fixed by the final release. I suspect it's some slightly odd threading issue, in that I only see it intermittently (but manifesting itself slightly differently), but have hyperthreading enabled. I don't think Dan's seen it at all: he has faster HT-enabled processor.
  Thanks,

  Bart Read March 31, 2006 05:20

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