dbdesc

dbdesc is a handy tool which can be used when you are trying to generate detailed documents that describe your databases.

With this app, you are not limited to a certain output format or a fixed design, as the program gives you full control over every aspect of your document's creation.

DbDesc will use XSLT templates to transform an XML file which holds your database description in order to obtain the final documentation.

dbdesc was designed to be integrated into your build process. Thus it can be launched from the command line, to ensure that your database documentation is always up to date.

Several database formats are currently supported by dbdesc, such as SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005, Microsoft Desktop Engine 2000 (MSDE), SQL Server 2005 Express, Microsoft Access 97 and above and Firebird.

The steps towards using the app are rather simple.

All you have to do is run the app, select the database engine, enter Server name or IP, your credentials along with the database's name. From the "Objects" tab just select what it is you want documentation about from the database, then select the output options and you're done.