SQL Object Dependencies Tree

As a rule, database objects depend upon other database objects. For example, views and stored procedures depend upon the existence of tables that contain the data returned by the view or procedure. The Objects Dependencies tree, introduced in dbForge Studio for SQL Server, offers a fast and simple way to view and navigate through database object dependencies, that belong to each database object. Let's see how this feature is implemented in the tool.

Database Explorer

Once you have connected to a database, you can view all database objects in the Database Explorer window. By default, the Database Explorer window opens when you start dbForge Studio for SQL Server. To open the window manually, in the View menu, click Database Explorer. Alternatively, you can press CTRL+W, L.

Tip: You can use the Object Filtering feature to display a certain set of objects.

Dependencies for certain tables

Now let's expand the Tables node and try to analyze dependencies for a certain table. Let us take a closer look at the HumanResources.Employee table and its elements. As you can see, in addition to columns, keys, triggers and constraints there are two elements Depends On and Used By.

Depends On element

The Depends On element shows database objects that must be present for the object to function properly. In our case, the HumanResources.Employee table depends on the Person.Person table and on the Flag schema.

Used By element

The Used By element shows the database objects, that depend upon the selected object. So, in our case, we can see, that the data from our table is used in a number of other tables, views, triggers, stored procedures and functions.

Dependencies within dependencies

In its turn, you can expand any object within Used By or Depends On to analyze its own dependencies.

Dependencies options

Also, you can right-click any database element to learn more about it, find it in the Database Explorer etc. (the list of available options depends on an object's type).

Summary

The Object Dependencies tree feature enables you to determine dependencies between database objects in a wink, which is meant to simplify and optimize your work with databases and their objects. The similar functionality is included in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, however it can show only basic dependencies. In its turn, dbFroge Studio of SQL Server provides more extended dependencies coverage, including DDL triggers, all objects from Security, Storage, Service Broker and much more.