adodb Database Description to XML Schema

[HarryF]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of adodb, in particular how good it is as describing databases, such as the data type of a column.

Using the MySQL functions, you have mysql_fetch_field() which returns an object describing the column.

The reason why? Well been toying with XML Schemas and was wondering idily; "How hard would it be to examine a table or database and create an XML schema from it?"

Once you have a schema from a database, you have something to generate things like HTML forms on the fly, with the help of a little XSL. You also have a basis for building a navigation system for your data, generating XML from the queries, slapping XSL over the top.

All it would take is a cunning mechanism for defining XSL Templates (any ideas?) and PHP will rule the world! mwhuhahaahahahaha!

[AcidReign]

I've used ADODB ( in ASP )...
it's database describing functionality is bit over-complicated.

for example, when you get the type of a column, it gives you a number, that is part of the adTypeEnum. there is a number for every possible datatype. you can find the constants in adodb.inc, that comes with ASP ( I have no idea where to find that now )

[trickie]

you've probably looked at this...

but check this out: http://php.weblogs.com/adodb_manual#fetchfield

This method can let you check the data type of a field

[HarryF]

Thanks for tip off Actually hadn't seen that - haven't done much with adodb before and trawling the docs could find that anywhere.