We are implementing a testing framework, covering areas like mentioned in [this SE article][1]. But in addition, as part of unit testing (probably), we want to perform **data contract testing**.

The database is in SQL Server and the schema is managed through Visual Studio git code repository.

My question is **are there best practices for data contract management** that cover:

 - where the data contract meta-data is stored
 - how is the data contract meta-data accessed

In order to execute our data contract tests automatically, the management of the meta-data needs to be in an electronic form that is programmatically accessible - e.g. a SQL table. Also, we want to be able to include the information into word documents or PDFs becoming part of the system documentation.

  [1]: http://softwareengineering.stackexchange.com/questions/48237/what-is-an-integration-test-exactly/48265#48265