how to manage comments for tables and columns?

Hi All, The customer asked how to use the comment function to describe tables and columns in Informix. I explained that Informix does not provide the ability to write comments for tables and columns. How do other customers using Informix manage specifications on tables or columns? ERD or Excel? ------------------------------ SangGyu Jeong Software Engineer Infrasoft Seoul Korea, Republic of ------------------------------ #Informix

Hi my friend ! I implemented a tables and columns documentation system in KandooERP ( www.kandooerp.org ), which comprises a couple of tables added to the database (table_documentation and column_documentation) + Kandoo programs that handle them + direct access to the SchemaSpy utility (Open source free schema tool) Here are a few screenshots PM me if you want to know more. Eric Vercelletto Data Management Architect and Owner / Begooden IT Consulting Board of Directors, International Informix Users group IBM Champion 2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020 Tel: +33(0) 298 51 3210 Mob : +33(0)626 52 50 68 skype: begooden-it Google Hangout: eric.vercelletto@begooden-it.com Email: eric.vercelletto@begooden-it.com www : http://www.vercelletto.com www https://kandooerp.org ------Original Message------ Hi All, The customer asked how to use the comment function to describe tables and columns in Informix. I explained that Informix does not provide the ability to write comments for tables and columns. How do other customers using Informix manage specifications on tables or columns? ERD or Excel? ------------------------------ SangGyu Jeong Software Engineer Infrasoft Seoul Korea, Republic of ------------------------------ #Informix

Some use ERD systems others create their own data dictionaries. I built one years ago for the firm I was working at in 4GL. Still have that code I think. Art ------Original Message------ Hi All, The customer asked how to use the comment function to describe tables and columns in Informix. I explained that Informix does not provide the ability to write comments for tables and columns. How do other customers using Informix manage specifications on tables or columns? ERD or Excel? ------------------------------ SangGyu Jeong Software Engineer Infrasoft Seoul Korea, Republic of ------------------------------ #Informix

BTW, there is an existing RFE for that, that has only 3 votes. You want it? you vote for it! https://ibm-data-and-ai.ideas.aha.io/ideas/INFX-I-369 The schemaspy dev team is ready to plug such an implementation in SchemaSpy. We did implement with 'my' system and it works like a charm ------------------------------ [eric] [Vercelletto] [] [Founder] [kandooerp.org] [Pont l'Abbé] [France] [+33 626 52 50 68] Disclaimer: My own opinions are my own opinions and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference. Neither do those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves. ------------------------------

Hi Eric, Thanks for your suggestion! My customer manages several types of databases (Oracle, Tibero, MariaDB, etc.) and they seem to be wondering if Informix also provides COMMENT functionality. I need to ask if my customer needs a program to manage comments in Informix's tables and columns. And thanks for sharing the voting link for the comment feature! There are two feature request links, but the voter turnout is lower than I thought. https://ibm-data-and-ai.ideas.aha.io/ideas/INFX-I-17 https://ibm-data-and-ai.ideas.aha.io/ideas/INFX-I-369 ------------------------------ SangGyu Jeong Software Engineer Infrasoft Seoul Korea, Republic of ------------------------------

Hello Art, Thanks for the reply. Korean developers and system administrators generally prefer 'erwin' as a program for ERD. Of course, customers can use other programs or web interfaces that I don't know. ------------------------------ SangGyu Jeong Software Engineer Infrasoft Seoul Korea, Republic of ------------------------------

In fact I created the first one # 17 Getting old here Cheers Eric Eric Vercelletto Data Management Architect and Owner / Begooden IT Consulting Board of Directors, International Informix Users group IBM Champion 2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020 Tel: +33(0) 298 51 3210 Mob : +33(0)626 52 50 68 skype: begooden-it Google Hangout: eric.vercelletto@begooden-it.com Email: eric.vercelletto@begooden-it.com www : http://www.vercelletto.com www https://kandooerp.org ------Original Message------ Hi Eric, Thanks for your suggestion! My customer manages several types of databases (Oracle, Tibero, MariaDB, etc.) and they seem to be wondering if Informix also provides COMMENT functionality. I need to ask if my customer needs a program to manage comments in Informix's tables and columns. And thanks for sharing the voting link for the comment feature! There are two feature request links, but the voter turnout is lower than I thought. https://ibm-data-and-ai.ideas.aha.io/ideas/INFX-I-17 https://ibm-data-and-ai.ideas.aha.io/ideas/INFX-I-369 ------------------------------ SangGyu Jeong Software Engineer Infrasoft Seoul Korea, Republic of ------------------------------ #Informix

Hi, Thanks for those links to the RFE's, I've just voted and commented :) - been hoping for years that something would come along to enable us to document our databases. Regards, Bryce Stenberg IT Department Harness Racing New Zealand ------Original Message------ Hi Eric, Thanks for your suggestion! My customer manages several types of databases (Oracle, Tibero, MariaDB, etc.) and they seem to be wondering if Informix also provides COMMENT functionality. I need to ask if my customer needs a program to manage comments in Informix's tables and columns. And thanks for sharing the voting link for the comment feature! There are two feature request links, but the voter turnout is lower than I thought. https://ibm-data-and-ai.ideas.aha.io/ideas/INFX-I-17 https://ibm-data-and-ai.ideas.aha.io/ideas/INFX-I-369 ------------------------------ SangGyu Jeong Software Engineer Infrasoft Seoul Korea, Republic of ------------------------------ #Informix

Hi Eric & SangGyu. I started to do something similar when I was at Garpac (good grief! Over 20 years ago!). I had started to write a 4GL program that would help a user build the table and every blessed column with a comment. That is 2 tables: table_comments and column_comments. But I left before it got any serious traction. My next job kept me busy for a couple of years and I just forgot about it until now. Alas, another life regret.. :-( ------------------------------ Jacob Salomon --- Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded. --Attr: Yogi Berra ------------------------------

I'm on the RFE site now as per your link. How do I upvote? I don't see an icon or ling for that. ------------------------------ Jacob Salomon --- Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded. --Attr: Yogi Berra ------------------------------

Hi Jacob, To vote, just click on the letter in the picture below. Click it and you will see a window to enter your email and name. ------------------------------ SangGyu Jeong Software Engineer Infrasoft Seoul Korea, Republic of ------------------------------

Hi Bryce, There are other ERD tools, but I think it would be useful to have COMMENT functionality in the database. I hope the feature will be implemented soon. ------------------------------ SangGyu Jeong Software Engineer Infrasoft Seoul Korea, Republic of ------------------------------