[.net] How can I create database tables from XSD files?

I have a set of XSDs from which I generate data access classes, stored procedures and more.

What I don't have is a way to generate database table from these - is there a tool that will generate the DDL statements for me?

This is not the same as Create DB table from dataset table, as I do not have dataset tables, but XSDs.

I use XSLT to do that. Write up your XSD then pass your data models through a hand written XSLT that outputs SQL commands. Writing an XSLT is way faster and reusable than a custom program /script you may write.

At least thats how I do it at work, and thanks to that I got time to hang out on SO :)

There is a command-line tool called XSD2DB, that generates database from xsd-files, available at sourceforge.

XML Schemas describe hierarchial data models and may not map well to a relational data model. Mapping XSD's to database tables is very similar mapping objects to database tables, in fact you could use a framework like Castor that does both, it allows you to take a XML schema and generate classes, database tables, and data access code. I suppose there are now many tools that do the same thing, but there will be a learning curve and the default mappings will most like not be what you want, so you have to spend time customizing whatever tool you use.

XSLT might be the fastest way to generate exactly the code that you want. If it is a small schema hardcoding it might be faster than evaluating and learing a bunch of new technologies.

hyperjaxb (versions 2 and 3) actually generates hibernate mapping files and related entity objects and also does a round trip test for a given XSD and sample XML file. You can capture the log output and see the DDL statements for yourself. I had to tweak them a little bit, but it gives you a basic blue print to start with.

Might take a look at the XSD tool in visual studio 2k8... I have created a relational dataset from an xsd and it might help your out somehow.

The best way to create the SQL database schema using an XSD file is a program called Altova XMLSpy, this is very simple:

1. Create a new project
2. On the DTDs / Schemas folder right clicking and selecting add files
3. Selects the XSD file
4. Open the XSD file added by double-clicking
5. Go to the toolbar and look Conversion
6. They select Create structure database from XML schema
7. Selects the data source
8. And finally give it to export the route calls immediately leave their scrip schemas with SQL Server to execute the query.

Hope it helps.

hyperjaxb (versions 2 and 3) actually generates hibernate mapping files and related entity objects and also does a round trip test for a given XSD and sample XML file. You can capture the log output and see the DDL statements for yourself. I had to tweak them a little bit, but it gives you a basic blue print to start with.

Create a Java Model using Axis wsdl2java (which can take in .xsd files).

Use a database generation tool for Java that takes in a Java Model. Surely something like Hibernate can do this? I wrote my own tool (takes a couple of days, also generates CRUD code in Java too) to save myself time at work, maybe this would be a nice personal project?

Or just do it manually so that you can check everything is correct and good! Database tools are good enough now that you can zip through creating tables for a model without too many problems.

XML Schemas describe hierarchial data models and may not map well to a relational data model. Mapping XSD's to database tables is very similar mapping objects to database tables, in fact you could use a framework like Castor that does both, it allows you to take a XML schema and generate classes, database tables, and data access code. I suppose there are now many tools that do the same thing, but there will be a learning curve and the default mappings will most like not be what you want, so you have to spend time customizing whatever tool you use.

XSLT might be the fastest way to generate exactly the code that you want. If it is a small schema hardcoding it might be faster than evaluating and learing a bunch of new technologies.