Many seasoned database developers tuck away all the commonly-used INFORMATION_SCHEMA queries as templates. They're an indispensable supplement to sp_help and sp_helpText to get handy information about your database objects, and, even if you use SQL Prompt, they're usually the best standard way to access such information programmatically within a routine. They are ISO standard SQL and are here to stay. Rob Sheldon goes through the basics in a timely refresher course.
Information schema views return information about the metadata in a SQL Server database. You can write code that uses these views to retrieve metadata, without worrying about changes to the system tables. For example, you can retrieve such metadata as the tables created in a database, the privileges granted on those tables, or the constraints defined on the tables.
SQL Server 2005 and 2008 automatically create 20 information schema views in every database. The views comply with the SQL-92 standard and are created in the schema INFORMATION_SCHEMA. Note, however, that in SQL Server an information schema view returns information only about those objects that the current user has permission to access. For example, if a user does not have the privileges necessary to access a particular table in a database, that user will not be able to view the columns from that table in the COLUMNS view.
When you call an information schema view, you must qualify the view name with the schema INFORMATION_SCHEMA. In addition, if you’re using the views to retrieve data from a database other than the current database, you must also qualify the name by including the database name as well as the schema name.
SQL Server uses SQL-92 metadata names for the information schema views and their columns. That means a database is referred to as a catalog, and a user-defined data type as a domain. However, most other metadata names are consistent between SQL Server and SQL-92.
The rest of the article describes each information schema view available in SQL Server 2005 and 2008 and provides examples that demonstrate how to use them. Note that these examples are based on the AdventureWorks2008 sample database in SQL Server 2008, although in many cases the statements are not specific to any one database.
CHECK_CONSTRAINTS
The CHECK_CONSTRAINTS information schema view displays the check constraints that exist in the current or specified database. The data includes the check expression that is part of the Transact-SQL constraint definition. In the following SELECT statement, I retrieve the schema, constraint, and constraint expression for each check constraint in the AdventureWorks2008 database:
SELECT CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA,
CONSTRAINT_NAME,
CHECK_CLAUSE
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.CHECK_CONSTRAINTS
ORDER BY CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA,
CONSTRAINT_NAME
The CHECK_CONSTRAINTS view does not include the table name. However, if the table name is part of the constraint name, as is the case in the AdventureWorks2008 database, you can order the query according to constraint name. In the example above, I order the results first by schema name and then by constraint name so that tables are grouped together. (Ed: if you use the CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA, BOL for the 2008 version states 'The only reliable way to find the schema of a object is to query the sys.objects catalog view'. A bug?)
COLUMN_DOMAIN_USAGE
The COLUMN_DOMAIN_USAGE information schema view displays the columns that are configured with user-defined data types. For example, if your database contains a user-defined data type called IndName, the view will return a row for each column in a table or view defined with the IndName data type.
In the following SELECT statement, I retrieve the schema, table, column, and data type for each column configured with a user-defined data type in the AdventureWorks2008 database:
SELECT TABLE_SCHEMA,
TABLE_NAME,
COLUMN_NAME,
DOMAIN_NAME
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMN_DOMAIN_USAGE
ORDER BY TABLE_SCHEMA,
TABLE_NAME,
COLUMN_NAME,
DOMAIN_NAME
COLUMN_PRIVILEGES
The COLUMN_PRIVILEGES information schema view displays information about each column-level privilege that has been granted to or granted by the current user. The view returns such details as who granted the privilege, who has been granted the privilege, the column on which the privilege is granted, and the type of privilege.
The following example retrieves the column-level privileges granted in the HumanResources schema of the AdvenureWorks2008 database:
SELECT GRANTOR,
GRANTEE,
TABLE_NAME,
COLUMN_NAME,
PRIVILEGE_TYPE
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMN_PRIVILEGES
WHERE TABLE_SCHEMA = 'HumanResources'
As you can see, the statement will return the grantor, grantee, table name, column names, and privilege type for each column-level privilege.
COLUMNS
The COLUMNS information schema view displays a list of columns in the specified database. As I indicated above, this data includes only columns that can be accessed by the current user (which is true for all information schema views). The COLUMNS view returns not only the object names that qualify the column (database, schema, table, and column names), but also information such as the ordinal position, default values, nullability, and data type.
In the following example, I retrieve the columns, their data types, nullability, and default values (if any) for the columns in the vEmployee view in the AdventureWorks2008 database:
SELECT COLUMN_NAME,
DATA_TYPE,
IS_NULLABLE,
COLUMN_DEFAULT
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE TABLE_NAME = 'vEmployee'
CONSTRAINT_COLUMN_USAGE
The CONSTRAINT_COLUMN_USAGE information schema view displays a list of columns in the current or specified database on which constraints are defined. The view returns the object names that qualify the columns (database, schema, table, and column names) as well as the object names that qualify the constraints (database, schema, and constraint names).
The following example uses the CONSTRAINT_COLUMN_USAGE view to retrieve the constraints defined on columns in the HumanResources schema of the AdventureWorks2008 database:
SELECT TABLE_NAME,
COLUMN_NAME,
CONSTRAINT_NAME
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.CONSTRAINT_COLUMN_USAGE
WHERE TABLE_SCHEMA = 'HumanResources'
ORDER BY TABLE_NAME,
COLUMN_NAME,
CONSTRAINT_NAME
CONSTRAINT_TABLE_USAGE
The CONSTRAINT_TABLE_USAGE information schema view displays a list of tables in the current or specified database on which constraints are defined. The view returns the object names that qualify the tables (database, schema, and table names) as well as the object names that qualify the constraints (database, schema, and constraint names).
The following example uses the CONSTRAINT_TABLE_USAGE view to retrieve the constraints defined on tables in the HumanResources schema of the AdventureWorks2008 database:
SELECT TABLE_NAME,
CONSTRAINT_NAME
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.CONSTRAINT_TABLE_USAGE
WHERE TABLE_SCHEMA = 'HumanResources'
ORDER BY TABLE_NAME,
CONSTRAINT_NAME
DOMAIN_CONSTRAINTS
The DOMAIN_CONSTRAINTS information schema view displays a row for each user-defined data type in the current or specified database that has a constraint bound to it. The information includes the object names that qualify the constraints (database, schema, and constraint names) as well as the object names that qualify the user-defined data types (database, schema, and type names). The view also returns information about constraint deferability.
In the following example, I retrieve the constraint names and user-defined data type names for each data type in the HumanResources schema that has a constraint bound to it:
SELECT CONSTRAINT_NAME,
DOMAIN_NAME
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.DOMAIN_CONSTRAINTS
WHERE CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA = 'HumanResources'
ORDER BY CONSTRAINT_NAME
DOMAINS
The DOMAINS information schema view displays a list of user-defined data types in the current or specified database. In the following example, I retrieve the name of the user-defined data types, the built-in data types on which they’re based, and the character length of the data types:
SELECT DOMAIN_NAME,
DATA_TYPE,
CHARACTER_MAXIMUM_LENGTH
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.DOMAINS
KEY_COLUMN_USAGE
The KEY_COLUMN_USAGE information schema view displays each column that is configured as a key constraint. The information includes the object names that qualify the constraints (database, schema, and constraint names) as well as the object names that qualify the columns (database, schema, table, and column names). The view also returns the columns’ ordinal positions.
The following SELECT statement uses the KEY_COLUMN_USAGE view to retrieve the columns in the Employee table that are constrained by a key:
SELECT COLUMN_NAME,
CONSTRAINT_NAME
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.KEY_COLUMN_USAGE
WHERE TABLE_NAME = 'Employee'
PARAMETERS
The PARAMETERS information schema view displays a list of parameters for user-defined functions and stored procedures in the current or specified database. For functions, the view displays additional rows for the return values. The PARAMETERS view is one of the meatier information schema views in terms of the amount of information it returns. There are of course the details you would expect—the name of the parameter, associated routine, schema, and database. But the view also returns such details as the parameter data type, its ordinal position, and collation and character information.
In the following SELECT statement, I retrieve the routine name (stored procedure or function), the parameter name, the data type, and the mode (IN or OUT) for all routine parameters in the HumanResources schema of the AdventureWorks2008 database:
SELECT SPECIFIC_NAME,
PARAMETER_NAME,
DATA_TYPE,
PARAMETER_MODE
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.PARAMETERS
WHERE SPECIFIC_SCHEMA = 'HumanResources'
ORDER BY SPECIFIC_NAME,
PARAMETER_NAME
REFERENTIAL_CONSTRAINTS
The REFERENTIAL_CONSTRAINTS information schema view displays a row for each FOREIGN KEY constraint in the current or specified database. The information includes the object names that qualify the constraints (database, schema, and constraint names) as well as details about matching conditions, update rules, and delete rules. The view also returns details specific to UNIQUE constraints.
The following example uses the REFERENTIAL_CONSTRAINTS view to retrieve the FOREIGN KEY constraints in the Production schema of the AdventureWorks2008 database:
SELECT CONSTRAINT_NAME,
MATCH_OPTION,
UPDATE_RULE,
DELETE_RULE
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.REFERENTIAL_CONSTRAINTS
WHERE CONSTRAINT_SCHEMA = 'Production'
ORDER BY CONSTRAINT_NAME
As you can see, I retrieve the constraint name, match option, and details about update and delete rules.
ROUTINE_COLUMNS
The ROUTINE_COLUMNS information schema view displays details about each column returned by the table-valued functions in the current or specified database. The information includes the object names that qualify the columns (database, schema, function, and column names) as well as such details as ordinal position, column default, data type, and character and collation information.
In the following example, I retrieve the columns, their data types, and their nullability for the columns returned by the ufnGetContactInformation function in the AdventureWorks2008 database.
SELECT COLUMN_NAME,
DATA_TYPE,
IS_NULLABLE
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA..ROUTINE_COLUMNS
WHERE TABLE_NAME = 'ufnGetContactInformation'
ROUTINES
The ROUTINES information schema view displays information about the stored procedures and functions in the current or specified database. The information includes the object names that qualify the routines (database, schema, and routine names), the routine definition (Transact-SQL), and character and collation information. The view also includes several columns that return only null values. These columns are reserved for future use.
The following SELECT statement uses the ROUTINES view to return the routine names and their schemas, as well as the routine definitions:
SELECT ROUTINE_SCHEMA,
ROUTINE_NAME,
ROUTINE_DEFINITION
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.ROUTINES
SCHEMATA
The SCHEMATA information schema view displays each schema in the current or specified database. The information includes the database and schema names, the schema owner, and details about the character set. The following example retrieves the name and owner of each schema in the AdventureWorks2008 database:
SELECT SCHEMA_NAME,
SCHEMA_OWNER
FROM AdventureWorks2008.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.SCHEMATA
TABLE_CONSTRAINTS
The TABLE_CONSTRAINTS information schema view displays a list of table constraints in the current or specified database. The view returns the object names that qualify the table (database, schema, and table names) as well as the object names that qualify the constraints (database, schema, and constraint names). The view also returns the constraint type (CHECK, UNIQUE, PRIMARY KEY, or FOREIGN KEY) and provides information about whether constraint checking is deferrable and whether it is at first deferred.
The following example uses the TABLE_CONSTRAINTS view to retrieve the constraints defined the Production schema of the AdventureWorks2008 database:
SELECT TABLE_NAME,
CONSTRAINT_NAME,
CONSTRAINT_TYPE
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLE_CONSTRAINTS
WHERE TABLE_SCHEMA = 'Production'
Notice that the SELECT statement retrieves the table names, constraint names, and constraint type for each table constraint.
TABLE_PRIVILEGES
The TABLE_PRIVILEGES information schema view displays information about each table-level privilege that has been granted to or granted by the current user. The view returns such details as who granted the privilege, who has been granted the privilege, the table on which the privilege is granted, and the type of privilege.
The following example retrieves the table-level privileges granted in the Production schema of the AdvenureWorks2008 database:
SELECT GRANTOR,
GRANTEE,
TABLE_NAME,
PRIVILEGE_TYPE
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLE_PRIVILEGES
WHERE TABLE_SCHEMA = 'Production'
As you can see, the SELECT statement returns the names of the grantors and grantees, as well as the table names and privilege types.
TABLES
The TABLES information schema view displays a list of tables in the current or specified database. The information includes the object names that qualify the table (database, schema, and table names) as well as the table type (BASE TABLE or VIEW). In the following SELECT statement, I retrieve the tables, their associated schemas, and the table type for the AdventureWorks2008 database:
SELECT TABLE_SCHEMA,
TABLE_NAME,
TABLE_TYPE
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES
ORDER BY TABLE_TYPE,
TABLE_SCHEMA,
TABLE_NAME
VIEW_COLUMN_USAGE
The VIEW_COLUMN_USAGE information schema view displays the columns defined in the views in the current or specified database. The information includes the object names that qualify the views (database, schema, and view names) as well as the objects names that qualify the source columns (database, schema, table, and column names). The following example returns a list of views along with their base tables, the tables’ schemas, and the source columns:
SELECT VIEW_NAME,
TABLE_SCHEMA,
TABLE_NAME,
COLUMN_NAME
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.VIEW_COLUMN_USAGE
WHERE TABLE_SCHEMA = 'Person'
ORDER BY VIEW_NAME,
TABLE_SCHEMA,
TABLE_NAME,
COLUMN_NAME
VIEW_TABLE_USAGE
The VIEW_TABLE_USAGE information schema view displays the tables that are used in the views in the current or specified database. The information includes the object names that qualify the views (database, schema, and view names) as well as the objects names that qualify the base tables (database, schema, and table names). The following example returns a list of views along with their base tables and the tables’ schemas:
SELECT VIEW_NAME,
TABLE_SCHEMA,
TABLE_NAME
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.VIEW_TABLE_USAGE
WHERE TABLE_SCHEMA = 'Person'
ORDER BY VIEW_NAME,
TABLE_SCHEMA,
TABLE_NAME
VIEWS
The VIEWS information schema view displays a list of views in the current or specified database. The information includes the object names that qualify the views (database, schema, and view names) as well as the view definitions (Transact-SQL). The view also returns the WITH CHECK OPTION setting and specifies whether the view is updateable.
In the following SELECT statement, I retrieve the views, their associated schemas, and the view definitions for the AdventureWorks2008 database:
SELECT TABLE_SCHEMA,
TABLE_NAME,
VIEW_DEFINITION
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.VIEWS
ORDER BY TABLE_SCHEMA,
TABLE_NAME
Information Schema Views
This article should have given you a good overview of information schema views in SQL Server 2005 and 2008. For more information about each view, see the view’s topic in SQL Server Books Online. (e.g. CHECK_CONSTRAINTS). There you will find a description of all the columns returned by each view. You can also find additional information in the topic “Information Schema Views (Transact-SQL).”
