SQL -- how to view the underlying db structure.

[Jay Petrulis]

Hi Folks,

I may not be asking the right type of question regarding this, but I am trying to get up to speed. Suppose that I have to query a RDBMS. The front-end can be Access, Excel, etc. and I would be using SQL to retrieve the data.

If I did not build it, how would I be able see the tables, keys, etc.? Is there a way to see the underlying db setup/structure? In Access, I can see the tables and the joins, but if I am querying a mainframe db, or something with many tables and calculated queries, can I do the same?

Any help and/or references?

Thanks,
Jay

 

[martyr]

Browse Database Schema & other info

The best tool I have found for this is called Advanced Query Tool. It allows you to see the entire schema and provides many other useful bits of information. It is primarily a tool to build SQL statements. It uses ODBC and can be used with any ODBC-compliant database.

You should be able to find it via google.

I use it to create SQL to paste into MS-Query.

HTH

Marty

 

[Jay Petrulis]

Thanks! I will check it out.