Database documentation tools for MariaDB

List of tools that allow the documentation (e.g. with descriptions) of schema of your databases.

Database documentation is a set of descriptions of the data, that facilitate management, maintenance, and retrieval of resources. Documentation can take many forms, however, it usually acts as a data catalog that holds detailed information about the table schema, all relationships, data types, etc. Description of datasets as well as single data objects also is referred to as metadata (data about the data).

Dataedo

Dataedo enables you to catalog, document and understand your data with Data Dictionary, Business Glossary and ERDs. It enables to document your databases and share documentation in interactive HTML.

Data Lineage: Yes
Runs on: (for desktop): Windows
Commercial: Commercial
Free edition: No
Allows editing: Yes
Metadata stored in: External repository
Export: HTML,MS Excel,PDF
ER Diagram: Yes
Dependencies: Yes
Dataedo Data Catalog
Dataedo Business Glossary
Dataedo Data Profiling

dbForge Documenter for MySQL

dbForge Documenter for MySQL is a handy MySQL and MariaDB documentation tool that automatically generates documentation of an entire MySQL database in HTML, PDF, and MARKDOWN file formats. The tool allows users to customize the generated documentation up to their needs with help of a bunch of options and settings.

Data Lineage: -
Runs on: (for desktop): -
Commercial: Commercial
Free edition: No
Allows editing: No
Metadata stored in: Database comments/extended properties
Export: HTML,PDF
ER Diagram: No
Dependencies: Yes

SchemaCrawler

SchemaCrawler is a free database schema discovery and comprehension tool. Using the tool, you can search for database schema objects using regular expressions, and output the schema and data in a readable text format. The output serves for database documentation and is designed to be diff-ed against other database schemas.

Data Lineage: -
Runs on: (for desktop): -
Commercial: Free
Free edition: Yes
Allows editing: No
Metadata stored in: External repository
Export: CSV,HTML,JSON,Plain text
ER Diagram: Yes
Dependencies: Yes

SQLGate

SQLGate is an integrated database management and development solution that simplifies the construction and operation of databases. It allows you to generate database documentation containing details of all objects created in the database.

Data Lineage: -
Runs on: (for desktop): -
Commercial: Commercial
Free edition: Yes
Allows editing: Yes
Metadata stored in: Database comments/extended properties
Export: HTML,PDF
ER Diagram: Yes
Dependencies: Yes

SQL Maestro for MySQL

SQL Maestro for MySQL is a complete and powerful database management, admin and development tool for MySQL and MariaDB. It provides Generate Database Report Wizard through which you can create HTML or PDF report for the database structure of the selected object in the whole or partially.

Data Lineage: -
Runs on: (for desktop): -
Commercial: Commercial
Free edition: No
Allows editing: Yes
Metadata stored in: Database comments/extended properties
Export: HTML,PDF
ER Diagram: Yes
Dependencies: Yes

SQL Manager

SQL Manager simplifies and automates your database development process and design, explore and maintain existing databases, build compound SQL query statements, manage database user rights, and manipulate data in different ways. The functionality of Create Report Wizard allows you to create simple database objects reports in a few clicks.

Data Lineage: -
Runs on: (for desktop): -
Commercial: Commercial
Free edition: Yes
Allows editing: Yes
Metadata stored in: Database comments/extended properties
Export: HTML,PDF
ER Diagram: Yes
Dependencies: Yes

DrawSQL

DrawSQL helps dev teams create beautiful schema diagrams to document their database entity relationships. The app has a strong focus on crafting a delightful user experience, with keyboard shortcuts and a modern app design so you can create your document at the speed of thought. It currently supports MySQL, PostgresSQL and SQL server. It also has an extensive library of over 200+ database schemas of popular open-source packages, useful as inspiration when architecting a new app feature.

Data Lineage: -
Runs on: (for desktop): -
Commercial: Commercial
Free edition: Yes
Allows editing: Yes
Metadata stored in: External repository
Export: PDF
ER Diagram: Yes
Dependencies: No

SQLyog

SQLyog is the most powerful manager, admin and GUI tool for MySQL, combining the features of MySQL Query Browser, Administrator, phpMyAdmin and other MySQL Front Ends and MySQL GUI tools in a single intuitive interface. It provides you with powerful means to manage and do HTML schema documentation of your MySQL databases.

Data Lineage: -
Runs on: (for desktop): -
Commercial: Commercial
Free edition: No
Allows editing: Yes
Metadata stored in: Database comments/extended properties
Export: HTML
ER Diagram: Yes
Dependencies: Yes

DbSchema

DbSchema facilitates to design, document and manage SQL and NoSQL databases. It is an intuitive designer for complex databases and provides documentation in HTML and PDF formats with interactive diagram vector image.

Data Lineage: -
Runs on: (for desktop): -
Commercial: Commercial
Free edition: No
Allows editing: Yes
Metadata stored in: Database comments/extended properties
Export: HTML,PDF
ER Diagram: Yes
Dependencies: Yes

dbForge Studio for MySQL

dbForge Studio for MySQL has a great built-in feature that automates documentation generation in many formats. MySQL database documentation generator allows for customization of generated documentation files to meet users' needs.

Data Lineage: -
Runs on: (for desktop): -
Commercial: Commercial
Free edition: Yes
Allows editing: Yes
Metadata stored in: -
Export: -
ER Diagram: Yes
Dependencies: Yes

Database documentation tools support data management by creating helpful descriptions, meaningful aliases, and annotating data assets with additional elements. The tools capture all the relevant information about the metadata and make it available to the users in a convenient way (tabular or graphical). The features of documentation tools can vary widely. The tools allow users to:
• Facilitate datasets with meaningful descriptions/aliases,
• Create relational diagrams,
• Advance search of resources,
• Track schema changes,
• Document repositories from various sources, through compatibility with many database engines,
• Automatic documentation export to user-friendly formats and easy-to-share formats (HTML, PDF, Excell )

Developers (especially those working on the backend) are constantly faced with questions from non-IT teams or customers about what a given object means. This is because creating and maintaining documentation is not a top priority. However, using documentation tools has many benefits such as:
• Help Data stewards quickly discover database schema,
• Data becomes understandable for non-IT members,
• Documentation as a single source of truth about the data is available to everyone
• Easier implementation for new people working on the repository,

We have selected database documenters that, we believe, are truly noteworthy. We have included both, open-source tools and advanced, professional software (offering trial versions).