Hi all, I have been using Visio for Enterprise Architechs (v10) to model my database using object relational mapping. Works fairly well since I'm not a db expert. However, I have noticed that when I modify my data design model, visio will ask me if I want to update the orm source model. When I select yes, it takes approximately 6-10 minutes to update the the orm source model for a db with approximately 30 or so tables. Does anyone know if this is to be expected (the length of time to update the dB)? Seems a little long.

This isn't what you want to hear, but your problems started when you decided to use Visio to model your database.

Put alot of distance between you and that lame piece of software as soon as you can.

Jeff

Jeff wrote:

This isn't what you want to hear, but your problems started when you decided to use Visio to model your database.

Put alot of distance between you and that lame piece of software as soon as you can.

Jeff

I've been known to MODEL a database in visio, but I would never use it to actually create the database. I always do that by hand with Enterprise Manager.

Ok guys, point taken. But it seems to work quiet well (with the exception mentioned above). As I mentioned I'm pretty new to DB's and visio has helped me build my model. I like the fact that I can play with the design in visio, do a check to see if the schema is valid, and then generate/update a db. Although I do admit, it flakes out and crashes every once in a while.

If you are looking for a good modeling tool, I recommend Enterprise Architect from Sparx Systems (sparxsystems.com). It intergrates with VS and you can't beat the price for what it offers.

Of course if you are just doing databases, it might be a bit over kill.

I would second the recommendation on Enterprise Architect. I prefer to script the database and then reverse engineer into EA for diagramming purposes (or Visio, whatever).

I'm evaluating Enterprise Architect now based on the recommendations I've seen here for it.

Can Enterprise Architect generate ALTER TABLE commands such that when the schema is changed within the application that it outputs DDL that updates the actual DB schema as opposed to dropping/recreating the affected tables?

Scotty, since your evaluating EA, does it support ORM? From the site I couldn't tell.

Scotty wrote:

Can Enterprise Architect generate ALTER TABLE commands such that when the schema is changed within the application that it outputs DDL that updates the actual DB schema as opposed to dropping/recreating the affected tables?

No, alter scripts are not available. However, it does look like it is something that will be implemented in the future.

http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=suggestions;action=display;num=1132585369

In my opinion EA and LLBL are two great tools for designing & developing software. But I don’t want to get into a conversation about EA on the LLBL forums (they don’t directly compete, but it’s still a different product).