[BioSQL-l] Re: ERD Creation

[Hilmar Lapp]

None of them was even close, sadly.

There was three requirements though that I had that you may not care 
about. First, I needed the tool to read in an existing model in DDL 
(data definition language, i.e., CREATE blah, ALTER blah, etc) SQL and 
then allow me to modify it. Second, I needed the tool to be able to 
generate DDL from the modified model. Third, I needed the tool to 
support Oracle with its generated DDL.

ERWin distinguishes between a logical model and a physical model. It 
applies rules that you can configure when translating (or sync'ing) 
between logical and physical model. For instance, my logical BioSQL 
model follows the table naming convention known from the mysql/Pg 
schemas and uses only standard SQL92 types, whereas the physical model 
is for Oracle, applies prefixes to all table names to avoid name 
clashes, and uses better-suited Oracle SQL types where applicable. The 
physical model also defines indexes, whereas the logical model only 
defines primary key column(s), foreign key relationships, and 
alternative key column(s).

I found that feature very helpful while the schema was actively 
undergoing changes; now it's so stable it's not that important anymore.

So, depending on what you're trying to do an open-source tool may be 
sufficient. Just the last thing I wanted to do was to draw it up in 
e.g. Dia, b/c that just gives you a lot of grief without much benefit 
except the diagram.

	-hilmar

On Feb 15, 2005, at 11:12 AM, Barry Moore wrote:

> $4K! Ouch.  Have you used any open source or less expensive 
> alternatives that you found worthwhile?
>
> Barry
>
> Hilmar Lapp wrote:
>
>> ERWin (from CA). Does a good job but very expensive. -hilmar
>>
>> On Monday, February 14, 2005, at 10:39  PM, Barry Moore wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Hilmar-
>>>
>>> What software did you use to create that ERD for BioSQL?
>>>
>>> Barry
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> Barry Moore
>>> Dept. of Human Genetics
>>> University of Utah
>>> Salt Lake City, UT
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
> -- 
> Barry Moore
> Dept. of Human Genetics
> University of Utah
> Salt Lake City, UT
>
>
>
>
-- 
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Hilmar Lapp                            email: lapp at gnf.org
GNF, San Diego, Ca. 92121              phone: +1-858-812-1757
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