Getting list of tables, and fields in each, in a database

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I'm looking at creating a basic ORM (purely for fun), and was wondering, is there a way to return the list of tables in a database and also the fields for every table?

Using this, I want to be able to loop through the result set (in C#) and then say for each table in the result set, do this (e.g. use reflection to make a class that will do or contain xyz).

Further to this, what are some good online blogs for SQL Server? I know this question is really about using system SPs and databases in Sql Server, and I am ok with general queries, so I'm interested in some blogs which cover this sort of functionality.

Thanks

tsql sql
13 Answers

Is this what you are looking for:

Using OBJECT CATALOG VIEWS

 SELECT T.name AS Table_Name ,
       C.name AS Column_Name ,
       P.name AS Data_Type ,
       P.max_length AS Size ,
       CAST(P.precision AS VARCHAR) + '/' + CAST(P.scale AS VARCHAR) AS Precision_Scale
FROM   sys.objects AS T
       JOIN sys.columns AS C ON T.object_id = C.object_id
       JOIN sys.types AS P ON C.system_type_id = P.system_type_id
WHERE  T.type_desc = 'USER_TABLE';

Using INFORMATION SCHEMA VIEWS

  SELECT TABLE_SCHEMA ,
       TABLE_NAME ,
       COLUMN_NAME ,
       ORDINAL_POSITION ,
       COLUMN_DEFAULT ,
       DATA_TYPE ,
       CHARACTER_MAXIMUM_LENGTH ,
       NUMERIC_PRECISION ,
       NUMERIC_PRECISION_RADIX ,
       NUMERIC_SCALE ,
       DATETIME_PRECISION
FROM   INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS;

Reference : My Blog - http://dbalink.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/querying-the-object-catalog-and-information-schema-views/

MarlonRibunal_103850

Tables ::

SELECT * FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES WHERE TABLE_TYPE='BASE TABLE'

columns ::

SELECT * FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS

or 

SELECT * FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS WHERE TABLE_NAME='your_table_name'
user_3770 
SELECT * FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
user_126030

I tested a few solutions an found that 

Select *
From INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS

gives you the column info for your CURRENT/default database.

Select *
From <DBNAME>.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS

, without the < and >, gives you the column info for the database DBNAME.

user_66555620

Your other inbuilt friend here is the system sproc SP_HELP.

sample usage :: 

sp_help <MyTableName>

It returns a lot more info than you will really need, but at least 90% of your possible requirements will be catered for.

user_3770

This will get you all the user created tables:

select * from sysobjects where xtype='U'

To get the cols:

Select * from Information_Schema.Columns Where Table_Name = 'Insert Table Name Here'

Also, I find http://www.sqlservercentral.com/ to be a pretty good db resource.

user_2250

in a Microsoft SQL Server you can use this:

declare @sql2 nvarchar(2000)
        set @sql2  ='
use ?
if (  db_name(db_id()) not in (''master'',''tempdb'',''model'',''msdb'',''SSISDB'')  )
begin   

select
    db_name() as db,
    SS.name as schemaname,
    SO.name tablename,
    SC.name columnname,
    ST.name type,
    case when ST.name in (''nvarchar'', ''nchar'')
        then convert(varchar(10), ( SC.max_length / 2 ))
        when ST.name in (''char'', ''varchar'')
        then convert(varchar(10), SC.max_length)
        else null
    end as length,
    case when SC.is_nullable = 0 then ''No'' when SC.is_nullable = 1 then ''Yes'' else null end as nullable,
    isnull(SC.column_id,0) as col_number
from sys.objects                  SO
join sys.schemas                  SS
    on SS.schema_id = SO.schema_id
join sys.columns             SC
on SO.object_id     = SC.object_id
left join sys.types               ST
    on SC.user_type_id = ST.user_type_id and SC.system_type_id = ST.system_type_id
    where SO.is_ms_shipped = 0 
end
'

exec sp_msforeachdb @command1 = @sql2

this shows you all tables and columns ( and their definition ) from all userdefined databases.

user_93911300
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