It might be nice to have some of these expensive "toys" but working in a small shop I often have to find other solutions.
My database modeling tool of choice is a program called Dezign for Databases (http://www.datanamic.com). It sells for about $150. There are some optional scripts which sell for about $100. Get the scripts. One that I regularly use will read a SQL script file and recreate a model of that database which you can then simply export in another database format. It will automatically change datatypes, etc. for the output database. I develop web applications using three DB servers, MS SQL Server 2000, MySQL and PostgreSQL, Dezign works great with all three. I went to their web site and copied the following description: ============================================================================ Introduction "DeZign for databases" is a database development tool using an entity relationship diagram. It visually supports the lay out of the entities and relationships and automatically generates SQL schemas for most leading databases. "DeZign for databases" supports the logical and physical data-level from a single specification achieved by using automatic foreign key migration at design-time. Multiple display options include entity/primary key/attributes inclusive foreign keys/attributes exclusive foreign keys. "DeZign for databases" also supports domains (user defined datatypes). Reports generated by DeZign can be used for conveying complex designs in simplified format to managers at various management levels. You can generate reports, data dictionaries and databases in one simple click. The following databases are supported: Oracle, Interbase, IBM DB2, Sybase, MS Access (95/97/2000), MS SQL Server, Paradox, dBase, Informix, SQL-Anywhere, MySQL, PostgreSQL. Feature highlights: Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) editor. Automatic, template driven schema generation (DDL). Powerful report generator (HTML, Text, HTML with image map). Creation of domains is supported. Usage of domains is supported even for a database that does not support domains. Supports the ER modeling techniques including some advanced techniques. Fast, facile graphics manipulation. Automatic resolution of many-to-many relationships. Object browser for entities, relationships, attributes and domains. Multiple display modes. Export diagram to an image file (Bitmap, Gif or Windows Metafile). Export repository to text file. Custom naming conventions. Automatic foreign key migration at design time. Open datatype mapping. Version control. High-level autonumber datatype. Full cardinality and connectivity support. ============================================================================ I have no connection with this company other than being a very satisfied customer. Bill Poff ______________________________________________________________________ Get the mailserver that powers this list at http://www.coolfusion.com Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/index.cfm?sidebar=lists
