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Data
Architect
Professional database modeling |
Chapter 1
Introduction
About this chapter
This chapter describes and explains what is DataArchitect.
Discover what database
professionals have known for years - that enterprise databases are
designed with enterprise modeling tools. Why has this been a secret
for so many? Why do so many labour with buckets full of error prone,
undocumented, SQL? Well it seems no one has been able to pack the
features of a quality data modeling tool into a product at an accessible
price - not until now.
Data Architect is an emerging enterprise tool for designing databases
at all levels of an organization using the same concepts found in tools
costing thousands of dollars!
Majour Features
- Workspace/Project
oriented environment
- ERD centric data
modeling
- Logical Data
Model
- Physical
Data Model (ODBC, SQL92, MySQL,
PostgreSQL, DB2, FireBird, MS SQL, Oracle, SQLBase)
- model panner ('birds
eye view')
- quick find and
navigation from output window
- model validation
- full documentation
capabilities
- integrated Advanced SQL
Editor with syntax highlighting
- save/load SQL sessions
- integrated ODBC
- multi-platform (Linux,Windows, OSX and Solaris)
- open file format (XML)
- DBMS specific features
such as data types and SQL syntax
- reverse engineer
existing databases
- generate create-scripts
- print model
- print data dictionary
- liberal use of
tool-tips to help Users
- integrated Team Diagram
(general purpose diagramming)
- supports table
inheritance
- supports; table, view,
domain, sequence, procedure, and more
Majour Features Being Developed
- generate modify-scripts
- collaboration features
using CVS/ftp/DBMS repository
Typical Interaction
Run Data Architect on your
favourite operating system. Create an ODBC Data Source Name (DSN) for
the desired data source. Create a Data Architect Project and create a
new ERD.
Optionally adjust the validation rules for the model. Now prime your
ERD by reverse engineering the existing database or start from scratch.
Add/edit/document; domains, sequences, tables, views, and procedures.
Validate the model. Use the quick navigation features of the output to
quickly jump to any problems and correct.
Generate a create script. review, edit, and execute the script in the
integrated Advanced SQL Editor. Print a data dictionary report to
communicate the design and design decisions to others or pass the open
XML file along for use in 3rd party software or with the free CBD Viewer
program.
DBMS Specific Features
The DBMS vendor will be
delighted to see its Users guided in the design of an ERD with
seamless support for; model validation, DBMS specific data types, and
DBMS specific tool-tips.
DBMS's supported;
- generic using ODBC
- generic using SQL92
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
- InterBase/FireBird
- DB2
- Oracle
- SQLBase
- MS SQL
Support
Data Architect is under very
active development. For example; generation of modify scripts is being
worked on. Collaboration features are being developed to allow Data
Architect to be used more effectively in enterprise environments.
Support is provided using
theKompany first line support and a support mailing list.
Screenshot
(Windows version)