What are some best practices for maintaining query documentation?

1 Use a standard format

One of the first steps to maintain query documentation is to use a standard format for your comments, headers, and footers. This will help you organize your code and make it more readable and understandable. A standard format can include information such as the query name, author, date, description, parameters, inputs, outputs, assumptions, limitations, and references. You can use tools like SQLDoc or Doxygen to generate documentation from your code automatically, or follow a style guide like the Google SQL Style Guide.

2 Write clear and concise comments

Another best practice for maintaining query documentation is to write clear and concise comments that explain the logic and intent of your code. Comments should not be too long or too short, but rather provide enough detail to clarify the purpose and functionality of your queries. Comments should also be consistent and accurate, and avoid redundant or irrelevant information. You can use tools like SQLCommenter or SQLLint to check and format your comments automatically, or follow a convention like the Javadoc or NDoc style.

3 Update your documentation regularly

A third best practice for maintaining query documentation is to update your documentation regularly, especially when you make changes to your code. This will help you avoid discrepancies and errors between your code and your documentation, and ensure that your documentation reflects the current state and behavior of your queries. You can use tools like SQLCompare or SQLChange to track and compare your code changes automatically, or follow a process like the Agile or Scrum methodology.

4 Test and validate your documentation

A fourth best practice for maintaining query documentation is to test and validate your documentation, both before and after you execute your queries. This will help you verify that your documentation matches your code output and performance, and identify any gaps or issues in your documentation. You can use tools like SQLTest or SQLUnit to test and validate your documentation automatically, or follow a framework like the Test-Driven Development or Behavior-Driven Development approach.

5 Share and review your documentation

A fifth best practice for maintaining query documentation is to share and review your documentation with other database administrators, developers, or users. This will help you get feedback and suggestions on how to improve your documentation, and also learn from other best practices and examples. You can use tools like SQLShare or SQLReview to share and review your documentation online, or follow a platform like the GitHub or Bitbucket repository.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?