The purpose of modeling is to design the database in such a way that it best reflects the structure of the business it concerns. Analysts and database developers are primarily responsible for modeling. Their task is to design the database structure in such a way as to obtain the most flexible and expandable database possible. This is to ensure that possible changes do not raise a number of problems in the future. Database models are also part of the information systems documentation. Without them, the development of the database is difficult, especially when we are dealing with an extensive structure that is maintained by a large team of people.
How to design a database structure?
The best way is to use an appropriate visual database design program. There are a number of such tools on the market. So which one should you choose?
It all depends on what databases we design. The modeling program should support the databases on which the software we maintain is running. It should also work on the operating systems that we use in the company, as well as be as intuitive as possible, so that both programmers, analysts and other people who will have to get acquainted with the specifics of the database can use it.
SqlDBD — what is it?
SqlDBD is an intuitive SaaS application designed for modeling MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL and SQL Server databases. The program does not require a database connection, additional applications or even installation on a computer. All it requires is a web browser. It enables the design of small and large databases.
Friendly user interface
The user interface has been designed to facilitate the quick design and modification of databases. The program is similar to most of the base design programs, i.e. it has tools for inserting new tables into the model and setting relations, but also includes other tools necessary for work, such as zooming and navigating the model. To edit tables or relations, you can use the available forms or the property panel known in most programming environments.
Import and export of projects
SqlDBD has the ability to import DDL scripts. If you already have a database and would like to get its model, just generate a SQL script with its structure and import it into SqlDBD.
In SqlDBD, you can at any time export a database model to an SQL file or as a PNG / JPG / GIF graphic file that you can attach to the project’s IT documentation.
Sharing projects
The program allows for team work on a database model. Contrary to competitive solutions, in which teamwork is based on separate copies of the project for each interested party, users working in SqlDBD can modify the same model while seeing each other’s changes.
Comparing changes
SqlDBD allows you to build successive versions of models and compare changes between them. It is possible to create SQL update scripts for the ongoing maintenance of databases.
These are not all the possibilities of the program. Visit https://sqldbd.com, create an account and build database models of your projects.
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