Is there a tool out there that checks for Circular references

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Is there a tool out there that checks for Circular references

meichner

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October 28, 2009 at 11:15 am

#216119

I was wondering if there is a tool that I can purchase that will find Circular references in my database?
Although I thought I new what a Circular reference was, apparently I do not (I was using LINQ today and it told me that I had Circular references on more then one table). Can anyone give me a simple definition for Circular references so I can avoid this problem in the future?
Thanks

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Grant Fritchey SSC Guru Points: 398878 More actions · Answer 1

The Red Gate database documentation tool, SQL Doc, will do it I think.

The problem is, it's really easy to get a circular reference. All you need is a set of FK's between tables that loops.

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt

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meichner SSCertifiable Points: 5563 More actions · Answer 2

Grant Fritchey (10/29/2009)
The Red Gate database documentation tool, SQL Doc, will do it I think.
The problem is, it's really easy to get a circular reference. All you need is a set of FK's between tables that loops.

Thanks so much for the information. I will purchase the product.

I have a really dumb question. The system that I am working on apparently has a few circular references that up until I tried to use Linq, never caused any problems. Circular references sound real bad, but are they?

Grant Fritchey SSC Guru Points: 398878 More actions · Answer 3

meichner (10/29/2009)
Grant Fritchey (10/29/2009)
The Red Gate database documentation tool, SQL Doc, will do it I think.
The problem is, it's really easy to get a circular reference. All you need is a set of FK's between tables that loops.
Thanks so much for the information. I will purchase the product.
I have a really dumb question. The system that I am working on apparently has a few circular references that up until I tried to use Linq, never caused any problems. Circular references sound real bad, but are they?

Not necessarily. It's usually an indication of some design issues that might indicate a bad design, but they won't necessarily cause you any problems at all normally. It's just when you get into using an automation tool that can walk the dependency try that you'll see problems.

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt

Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

meichner SSCertifiable Points: 5563 More actions · Answer 4

Grant Fritchey (10/29/2009)
meichner (10/29/2009)
Grant Fritchey (10/29/2009)
The Red Gate database documentation tool, SQL Doc, will do it I think.
The problem is, it's really easy to get a circular reference. All you need is a set of FK's between tables that loops.
Thanks so much for the information. I will purchase the product.
I have a really dumb question. The system that I am working on apparently has a few circular references that up until I tried to use Linq, never caused any problems. Circular references sound real bad, but are they?
Not necessarily. It's usually an indication of some design issues that might indicate a bad design, but they won't necessarily cause you any problems at all normally. It's just when you get into using an automation tool that can walk the dependency try that you'll see problems.

Thanks so much for the help. I really appreciate it.