UML Database Modeling in UModel 2011

As software applications interact with growing amounts of data, database designs and structures become critical to development of successful projects. UModel® 2011, just launched on September 8, 2010, adds a new feature that empowers users to extend software modeling functionality by modeling relational databases along with Java, C#, and Visual Basic software applications.

UModel 2011 accelerates database modeling with features that permits users to:

• Import existing tables from all popular relational databases to create UML database diagrams
• Modify diagrams for existing tables and generate SQL database change scripts to synchronize the database
• Design new database tables and relationships from scratch and issue SQL CREATE scripts

UModel Database Diagram Supported Databases

The UModel 2011 database diagram functionality supports multiple databases and automatically adjusts SQL dialects, data types, and other specialized features for the following databases:

• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2000, 2005, 2008
• IBM DB2® 8, 9
• IBM DB2 for iSeries® v5.4, 6.1
• Oracle® 9i, 10g, 11g
• Sybase® 12
• MySQL® 4, 5
• PostgreSQL 8
• Microsoft Access™ 2003, 2007

UModel Database Diagram Elements

UModel 2011 database diagrams support all the following database elements:

• Database schemas
• Tables
• Views
• Check Constraints
• Primary / Foreign / Unique keys
• Indexes
• Stored procedures
• Functions
• Triggers
• Database Relationship Associations
• Database Relationship with Attributes

Import Existing Database Structures

Users can import an existing relational database via a selection in the UModel 2011 Project menu.

The Import SQL Database option opens the UModel 2011 Database Connection dialog, with the Database Connection Wizard and all the additional connection options available in DatabaseSpy and other Altova MissionKit tools that interact with popular relational databases.

When importing a database, UModel 2011 also automatically adds a database profile to the project. UModel 2011 database diagrams are displayed in a special category in the Diagram Tree Helper window.

Modifying Databases in the Model

UModel 2011 database diagrams use a dedicated toolbar with icons indicating database elements that are shared with DatabaseSpy, easing the learning curve between tools.

As editing proceeds in UModel 2011, the SQL Auto-completion helper window assists with creation of diagrams valid for the SQL database type.

As an alternative to working directly in the diagram, users can also edit database elements in the Properties helper window.

Database Change Scripts

When a developer synchronizes program code from the UModel project, changes in any database diagram generate a Database Change Script with SQL commands to implement the revisions. Database Change Scripts created in UModel can be saved as SQL files, executed directly in the database, or opened in a DatabaseSpy SQL Editor window via a convenient button in the UModel Database Change Script dialog.

Conversely, if another team member modifies a table directly in the database, a developer can update the UML model by merging the database changes.

After synchronization of the UML model with the latest version of the database, the database diagram shows a new column in the Teachers table.

Like all other UModel diagram types, UModel 2011 lets users save database diagrams as image files and include them in automatically-generated project documentation.

Visit the Altova What’s New page to learn more about all the new features in the Altova MissionKit 2011.

Model databases along with system requirements, business rules, and application code for your next development project – click here to download a free 30-day trial of UModel 2011 today!