You can use the mapping to map conceptual models and database models onto each other during modeling. You can model each aspect in the right model and keep a clear division between the conceptual and technical data. Simply execute a mapping so that changes made to one model will also have an affect in another model.
Prerequisites
A bi-directional standard mapping is realized with engineering actions. An appropriate Java installation is required for the execution of engineering actions.
Automatic ER-DB mapping is integrated, and is triggered if the "DB Model (Automatic Mapping)" property is activated for entities.
Function
You have the option of creating a database model from the conceptual model. You can then work in both models.
The mapping marks model elements in the database model as "Created by Mapping" and they have model references to the conceptual model so that you can always track which model elements have come from where.
Standard Mapping
In the case of standard mapping, you can copy changes from the conceptual model to a database model with corresponding mapping commands. You can view them in a preview before adopting the changes.
Vice versa, you have the option of creating a conceptual model from an existing database model. This makes it easier to start model-driven database development, i.e. mapping is only carried out from the conceptual to the database model.
Automatic ER-DB Mapping
In the case of automatic mapping, entities are initially mapped to a database model on the basis of a set property. The corresponding database table is maintained immediately if changes are made to the entity.
The database model can be enhanced using special database elements. Changes to names in the database model are retained.
Customizing Standard Mapping
If you want to change the behavior of the mapping included within the scope of delivery, because e.g.
- you have other rules for assigning names or
- you want to apply the mapping to other stereotypes or
- you want to create other model elements or
- you want to transfer other stereotype properties,
then you should create your own mapping using the model-to-model software development kit (M2M-SDK).
For more information about Customizing Standard DB-ER Mapping orCustomizing Standard ER-DB Mapping, see the respective sub chapters.
You can find more information about M2M SDK in the Transforming Models (M2M SDK) chapter in this Help.
Related Topics
This chapter contains the topics:
