From the Tools button, you can generate a Physical Data Model from an existing Conceptual Data Model. The PDM has to be of a certain DBMS type, as generating a PDM will use database system specific datatypes and features, like Domains.
For each of the available conceptual objects, a certain physical object is created.
CDM object |
Generated PDM object |
Entity |
Table |
Entity attribute |
Column |
Domain |
Domain, if supported by the DBMS, nothing if not |
Identifier |
Primary Key Constraint |
Relationship |
Foreign Key Constraint (Referential Constraint) |
However, this is not a one-on-one conversion. In some cases, a relation will generate an "intermediate" table, see Relationships to a PDM.
When the PDM gets generated, the objects in it will be auto-arranged, this might not be the optimal layout, but it should give a start.
Before a PDM is generated, the model will be validated, if the validation results in errors, the process cannot continue. After successful validation, an Options dialog will be shown.
Options
When generating a PDM, the following options are available.
Available options when generating a PDM
The Target database version drop down box will hold the available versions for the selected target DBMS type. Depending on the version you're selecting, different features may be supported, for example, data types.
Remove spaces and special characters from object names |
Ensures the object names only contain ASCII alphabetical and numerical characters.
|
Convert object names to uppercase |
Removes all case (sensitivity) by uppercasing the object names.
|
Convert domains to raw datatypes |
CDM domains will always be converted to "raw data types", even though the DBMS supports domains. |
Note:
A PDM doesn't have to be associated with a database or session, they can be saved to a diagram file and re-used even without a database connection.
Next: Domains to a PDM