Re: Documenting a DB schema

Shahaf Abileah wrote:
>
> I’m looking for a systematic way to document the schema for the
> database behind our website (www.redfin.com <http://www.redfin.com/>),
> so that the developers using this database have a better idea what all
> the tables and columns mean and what data to expect. Any recommendations?
>
> It would be great if the documentation could be kept as close to the
> code as possible – that way we stand a chance of keeping it up to
> date. So, in the same way that Java docs go right there on top of the
> class or method definitions, it would be great if I could attach my
> comments to the table definitions. It looks like MySQL has that kind
> of capability:
>
> create table table_with_comments(a int comment 'this is column a...');
>
> (see http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/create-table.html)
>
> However, Postgres doesn’t support the “comment” keyword. Is there an
> alternative?
>
> Thanks,
>
> --S
>
> *Shahaf Abileah *|* Lead Software Developer *
>
> shahaf@redfin.com | tel: 206.859.2869 | fax: 877.733.3469
>
> Redfin Corporation
> 710 2nd Ave
> Suite 600
> Seattle, WA 98104
>
Its probably best to try one list and see if you get a response rather
than sending the same message to 3 lists.
Comments are supported

CREATE TABLE follow_me_destination
(
mailbox_number character varying(10), -- Follow me users mailbox number.
destination_number character varying(32), -- Follow me phone number.
dest_id serial NOT NULL
)
WITHOUT OIDS;
ALTER TABLE follow_me_destination OWNER TO postgres;
COMMENT ON TABLE follow_me_destination IS 'Stores follow me numbers for
system users.';
COMMENT ON COLUMN follow_me_destination.mailbox_number IS 'Follow me
users mailbox number.';
COMMENT ON COLUMN follow_me_destination.destination_number IS 'Follow me
phone number.';