MySQL Customised Data Dictionary

[Peter Kaye]

I'm trying to find the best way to document an new MySQL db. I want to make use of the table and field comments fields in the DB but also to be able to add additional information which can be linked to tables and fields.

Up to now I've cut and pasted the data dictionary print into Excel. But I've explored the information_schema database and located the Tables and Columns tables which provide the information for the data dictionary report. But I have no rights to create views or update data in the information_schema db and when I link via ODBC to the information_schema not only am I prevented from changing data ( for example adding table or field comments ) but whilst the tables table seems to provide correct read only data, the same is not so for the Columns table. Here the column_name column does not show the field name but simply repeats the primary key.

What is the best way to produce a customised data dictionary from a MySQL db ?

Thanks