Finding a log of changes to a refresh of reverse-engineered databa

[rockypierre]

When I use the Database/Refresh Model wizard, I get a detailed list of
differences between the current database and the database image stored in the
model. This list is in the form of a collapsed tree with horizontal and
vertical scroll bars, with no way to re-size the window to conveniently view
the details. The best way I have found to record these changes is a
laborious series of incomplete screen shots of the window. Clearly this
information is stored somewhere within Visio in some sort of log. How can I
access this log directly without the inconvenience of the nested tree and
scroll bars?

 

[Barb Way]

Unfortunately, the Refresh method does not generate a log automatically.
However, there is a round-about way to create a log, if you use Update
Model instead of Refresh. It's not generally suggested to use Update when
Refreshing changes in your DB into your Visio model, but it is an alternate
method. Since Update has a logging feature, it should get you the
information you are currently capturing in screen shots.

I just did a quick test with this, and it seems to work for me:

Reverse Engineer a DB
Make some changes (add objects, remove, change types, etc.) and save
In your Visio model, choose the Database menu, then select Update

- Turn Off the option 'Generate a text file with the DDL script' (unless
you also want a DDL script of your model at this time)
- Turn Off the option to 'Update the database'
- Turn On the option 'Detect changes in the database'
- Turn On the option to 'Log conflicts to file:' and set a file path for
the log.

Click Next to continue through the normal steps to select the target,

and choose the Refresh Model option for the changes.

Click Finish, and choose "Yes" when prompted to view the generatd

conflicts log.

The log should list the changes you just Refreshed into your model,
including details of datatype changes, etc.

Hope that helps!


Barb Way
Product Support - Visio
Microsoft Corporation
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.