SQL Server parallels to Oracle DBMS_METADATA.GET_DDL

ddloraclescriptingsql serversql-server-2005

I'm looking for command line or scripted solutions to pull the DDL out of SQL Server 2005+ for all database objects: tables, stored procs, views, indices/indexes, constraints, etc. GUI tools are not of interest.

Preference is for built-in tools, since that would be the most comparable to Oracle's DBMS_METADATA stuff. Also, preference for a solution that is as simple as Oracle's for getting the DDL out – eg, a one liner:


    SELECT DBMS_METADATA.GET_DDL('TABLE', 'MY_TABLE') FROM DUAL

Note: Getting things out for procedures in SQL Server 2005 seems easy, but I can't find any references to something similar for other objects (like tables).


    SELECT definition 
    FROM Sys.sql_modules 
    WHERE object_id = OBJECT_ID('MyProc')

Thanks in advance!

Best Answer

There is no support in the Transact-SQL language. The client libraries (SMO) can do it using a Scripter object, see example at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms162153.aspx. You can use SMO from PowerShell as a scripted solution.

The SQL Management Studio also has an option (right click on a database, go to Tasks, select Generate Scripts), it uses an SMO Scripter under the covers.

Syntax:

ALTER TABLE {TABLENAME} 
ADD {COLUMNNAME} {TYPE} {NULL|NOT NULL} 
CONSTRAINT {CONSTRAINT_NAME} DEFAULT {DEFAULT_VALUE}
WITH VALUES

Example:

ALTER TABLE SomeTable
        ADD SomeCol Bit NULL --Or NOT NULL.
 CONSTRAINT D_SomeTable_SomeCol --When Omitted a Default-Constraint Name is autogenerated.
    DEFAULT (0)--Optional Default-Constraint.
WITH VALUES --Add if Column is Nullable and you want the Default Value for Existing Records.

Notes:

Optional Constraint Name:
If you leave out CONSTRAINT D_SomeTable_SomeCol then SQL Server will autogenerate
a Default-Contraint with a funny Name like: DF__SomeTa__SomeC__4FB7FEF6

Optional With-Values Statement:
The WITH VALUES is only needed when your Column is Nullable
and you want the Default Value used for Existing Records.
If your Column is NOT NULL, then it will automatically use the Default Value
for all Existing Records, whether you specify WITH VALUES or not.

How Inserts work with a Default-Constraint:
If you insert a Record into SomeTable and do not Specify SomeCol's value, then it will Default to 0.
If you insert a Record and Specify SomeCol's value as NULL (and your column allows nulls),
then the Default-Constraint will not be used and NULL will be inserted as the Value.

Notes were based on everyone's great feedback below.
Special Thanks to:
@Yatrix, @WalterStabosz, @YahooSerious, and @StackMan for their Comments.

Sql – How to return only the Date from a SQL Server DateTime datatype

SELECT DATEADD(dd, 0, DATEDIFF(dd, 0, @your_date))

for example

SELECT DATEADD(dd, 0, DATEDIFF(dd, 0, GETDATE()))

gives me

2008-09-22 00:00:00.000

Pros:

No varchar<->datetime conversions required
No need to think about locale

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Sql – Add a column with a default value to an existing table in SQL Server

Syntax:

Example:

Notes:

Sql – How to return only the Date from a SQL Server DateTime datatype

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