Alan, When I started working at my present job there was zip,nada,zilch.. for database documentation. I started with the basics of: describe every table. describe the table data source location and provider and method of loading the data into the table. describe who or how the data in the table is used. document the database creation (create scripts to create the database, tablespaces,tables,triggers,etc..) and keep the scripts updated as conditions change. I periodically burn a CDROM with the scripts in case of a hardware failure and after a lot of changes in the scripts ( like year end work for the next year's tables) Describe the packages and objects that are used in the database (non Oracle created). create a daily/weekly/monthly(as you feel you are comfortable with) tablespace usage report to plan on new storage needs. In all cases document every thing. or CYA I hope this will get you started and remember that database documentation is an ever ending task. Ron
>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 12/09/2003 5:49:25 PM >>> Recently our database manager has asked us to do the unthinkable.... document our databases! To make matters worse, and without our input, he went ahead and created a schema and put it in an Access database (using tables to make it look like a speadsheet). Either we use his idea or come up with something else. So, I thought I'd ask everyone on the list how you do it. Text files? In a database (oracle, or other)? Spreadsheets? What are the pros and cons? Etc.... Thanks, Alan Alan Aschenbrenner Oracle DBA IHS Group [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net -- Author: INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services --------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing). -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net -- Author: Ron Rogers INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services --------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).