A free tool like Erwin

Mr. X. wrote:

> Hello.
>
> I am looking for a free tool like Erwin
> (Erwin is a tool that show the whole schema database or part of it as an ERD
> diagram.
> It has algorithms to show the ERD in minimal place, with minimal crosses
> between lines).
>
> Thanks
>
>
There are some ERD programs.

I have used DBDesigner4 [1] and Toad Data Modeller 3 [2].

The DBDesigner is too MySQL centric (it puts foreign keys into the
diagram) for me, the Toad is more true to the ERD standard, I suppose.

[1] <http://www.fabforce.net/dbdesigner4/>
[2]
<http://www.toadsoft.com/toaddm/toad_data_modeler.htmhttp://www.toadsoft.com/toaddm/toad_data_modeler.htm>
--
Sabine Dinis Blochberger

Op3racional
www.op3racional.eu
 >> Stay informed about: A free tool like Erwin 

Sabine Dinis Blochberger wrote:
> The DBDesigner is too MySQL centric (it puts foreign keys into the
> diagram) for me, the Toad is more true to the ERD standard, I suppose.

How is that MySQL-centric? Especially since in its marketplace, MySQL is the
only product to offer an engine, MyISAM, that doesn't even support foreign
keys. (Its other engines do support FKs; MyISAM is for tables that need
performance at the expense of architecture and safety.)

--
Lew
 >> Stay informed about: A free tool like Erwin 

Squirrel SQL is not like Erwin, it is not a designer tool, but it is
very good for maintenance and it can generate relationship diagram.
One can move boxes in diagram around with mouse, and change the
layout.

DG
 >> Stay informed about: A free tool like Erwin 

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blueparty wrote:
| Squirrel SQL is not like Erwin, it is not a designer tool, but it is
| very good for maintenance and it can generate relationship diagram.
| One can move boxes in diagram around with mouse, and change the
| layout.
|
| DG
|
I use MySql WorkBench. It's an alpha version, but it works pretty darn
well.

- --
Dr. Karl E. Taylor
UNIX Systems Engineer / DBA
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 >> Stay informed about: A free tool like Erwin 

Mr. X., 17.03.2008 05:22:
> Hello.
>
> I am looking for a free tool like Erwin
> (Erwin is a tool that show the whole schema database or part of it as an ERD
> diagram.
> It has algorithms to show the ERD in minimal place, with minimal crosses
> between lines).
>
> Thanks
>
>
Here is a nice overview: http://www.databaseanswers.com/modelling_tools.htm

I recently discovered Power*Architect, which loosk quite nice:
http://www.sqlpower.ca/page/architect

Then there are some more
http://mogwai.sourceforge.net/ (very clumsy UI in my opinion, does not allow modelling without a connection)
http://www.codebydesign.com/ (that seems to be dead though)
http://staruml.sourceforge.net/en/about.php (couldn't get the ERD module to work properly)


DbDesigner mentioned by Sabine seems to be resurrected on Sourceforge:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dbdesigner-fork/


None of the above has a good layout alghorithm.
Power*Architect does a reasonable job, but the diagram still needs manual "optimization"

Thomas
 >> Stay informed about: A free tool like Erwin 

Lew, 19.03.2008 13:24:
> Sabine Dinis Blochberger wrote:
>> The DBDesigner is too MySQL centric (it puts foreign keys into the
>> diagram) for me, the Toad is more true to the ERD standard, I suppose.
>
> How is that MySQL-centric? Especially since in its marketplace, MySQL
> is the only product to offer an engine, MyISAM, that doesn't even
> support foreign keys. (Its other engines do support FKs; MyISAM is for
> tables that need performance at the expense of architecture and safety.)
>
I don't think putting FKs into the diagram was meant to be "MySQL centric" but the whole tool is (with regards to default datatypes, a property "Storage engine" for the tables etc).

But the fork that was now created on sourceforge seems to try to get rid of the MySQL centric stuff. I sure hope it also increases stability and doesn't die before releasing something decent

Thomas
 >> Stay informed about: A free tool like Erwin 

Thomas Kellerer wrote:

> Lew, 19.03.2008 13:24:
> > Sabine Dinis Blochberger wrote:
> >> The DBDesigner is too MySQL centric (it puts foreign keys into the
> >> diagram) for me, the Toad is more true to the ERD standard, I suppose.
> >
> > How is that MySQL-centric? Especially since in its marketplace, MySQL
> > is the only product to offer an engine, MyISAM, that doesn't even
> > support foreign keys. (Its other engines do support FKs; MyISAM is for
> > tables that need performance at the expense of architecture and safety.)
> >
> I don't think putting FKs into the diagram was meant to be "MySQL
> centric" but the whole tool is (with regards to default datatypes, a
> property "Storage engine" for the tables etc).
>
Yeah, that's what I meant, the foreign key thing is yet another
pet-peeve if you will.

> But the fork that was now created on sourceforge seems to try to get rid
> of the MySQL centric stuff. I sure hope it also increases stability and
> doesn't die before releasing something decent
>
> Thomas

--
Sabine Dinis Blochberger

Op3racional
www.op3racional.eu
 >> Stay informed about: A free tool like Erwin