Visual design of database structure

Question

I am very happy to encode tables manually when creating the database, but this is not the easiest way to transfer database information to someone else, especially someone that is not very convenient to encode tables through a script, and use something like this instead phpMyAdmin.

Thus, there is a free program (for me it should work on a Mac, but do not hesitate to offer PC applications to other users with the same Q) or a script (preferably in PHP or Python) that allows you to create a database structure and then output either basic diagram, or user-selected code?

Answer 1

Well on PC, you can use MS Visio to create a DB entity diagram.

It even redesigns one of the existing database.

Pain for adjustment at first use, but quite comfortable after that.

Answer 2

An open systems architect has some potential. Its very similar to Visio.

Answer 3

I am a big fan of ARGO UML from Tigris.org. Draws beautiful pictures using standard UML notation. It generates some code generation, but mostly Java classes, which is not SQL DDL, so it may not be close enough to what you want to do.

You can look at Data Modeling Tools and see if there is anything better than Argo UML. Many items on this list are free or cheap.

In addition, if you use Eclipse or NetBeans , there are many design plugins, some of which may have the features you are looking for.

Answer 4

I use the aptly named Database Design Tool . However, it is extremely simple and, unfortunately, it has evolved. This is the best tool I've come across, it's free, and at the end of designing your tables, it generates T-SQL for you. It is also language independent.

alt text http://gnuwin.epfl.ch/apps/DDT/appImages/screenshot.jpg

Answer 5

You can try MySQL Workbench , which originates in open source dbdesigner. There is a free community edition available. You can design a database through er-charts or reconstruct an existing database.

Answer 6

MySQL Workbench is the best database design tool I've tried

Answer 7

I am currently testing SQL Power Architect (with both PostgreSQL and Mysql, but it also supports other providers), and this definitely seems promising. Does SQL have both forward and reverse. Community Edition is open source and cross-platform (Java). You can check it out yourself: http://code.google.com/p/power-architect/

When we strictly worked with MySQL so far, I used the MySQL Workbench, http://wb.mysql.com/ , which performed reliably.

Answer 8

I have always enjoyed Eclipse. There are several plugins that look as if they will do what you want.

Answer 9

SchemaBank (the SaaS provider on the Internet) can turn your ER design into SQL statements for MySQL and PG. However, it is not yet possible to export the graphics. The best part is that you do not need to install anything ("because it is browser-based"), and it costs almost nothing. You should also share your design with other people.

Answer 10

Oracle SQLDeveloper can work with Oracle and MySQL database.

http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/press/020861