Importing and Modifiying Database Schema

A relational database's database schema is imported if you want to create or maintain a schema in your Innovator model's database model.

Adopting a Relational Database's Database Schema in the Database Model

A relational database's database schema is adopted in a database model to create and maintain database systems.

Database schemata in the relational database and database model are compared using an integrated comparison function so that changes can be carried out easily and can be checked. Unlike with other manufacturer-specific database design tools, conceptual schemata can also be mapped onto other manufacturer's database systems. Comparison is carried out via JDBC or SQL/DDL

If you integrate DB-ER mapping, you can use the complete reverse engineering, from the real database management system (DBMS) to the conceptual model.

Opening the Database Import Wizard

Prerequisites

The wizard for this is only available in Innovator for Information Architects.

Context

You want to query the database schema of a relational database in order to import it or to update or enhance an existing database model on the basis of it.

How to proceed

Select Import/Export>Import>Relational Database.

The Database Import Wizard appears.
To import, update or enhance a database schema, proceed as described below in the open wizard. Use the standard import to import a new database schema. To update and enhance an existing database model, use the advanced import and the DB Manager editor.

Importing the Database Schema into the Database Model

Prerequisites

The Database Import Wizard is open. You have also established the connection to the database affected,

Context

You want to import the database schema of the connected database into an existing target package of the database model.

The Import command in the DB Manager adopts the imported DDL comments for identically named tables and table columns and - for identically named table columns - the imported data types and default values.

How to proceed

Select the database connection in question and click on Next.

The wizard jumps to the next step. A connection is made to the configured database selected in the database connection. The database objects from the schema of the relevant relational database are listed.
To select the database objects that you want to import from the connected database, activate the relevant check boxes and click on Next.

The wizard jumps to the next processing step, where you select the import variant.
To import a database schema, click on the Standard Import button.

The wizard jumps to the next step. The database elements of the previously selected database objects are offered for selection.
Select the database elements that you want to import into your model. Then click on Next to select the target package and carry out the import.
Select the target package into which you want to import the database objects and then click on Import.

The wizard closes. The selected database objects are imported into the selected target package and displayed in the DB Manager editor.
If you are still not happy with the results, then you can undo all import changes by selecting Undo (Ctrl+Z).

If you are unable to undo the changes, then you can delete the imported elements in the Result Region.

If the elements are not in the Result Region, then you can easily find the imported elements in the Find dialog in the Find Date tab.

Changing the Database Schema in the Database Model

Prerequisites

The Database Import Wizard is open. You have also established the connection to the database affected,

Context

You want to update the database schema in your database model. New table columns are inserted during the update.

The Change Database Schema command in the DB Manager adopts the modified DDL comments for identically named tables and table columns and - for identically named table columns - the modified data types and default values.

How to proceed

Select the database connection in question and click on Next.

The wizard jumps to the next step. A connection is made to the configured database selected in the database connection. The database objects from the schema of the relevant relational database are listed.
To select the database objects that you want to import from the connected database, activate the relevant check boxes and click on Next.

The wizard jumps to the next processing step, where you select the import variant.
To update a database schema, click on the Advanced import button.

The wizard closes and you are connected to the database.

The DB Manager opens and the Database Connection ribbon tab is active. A list of the database objects from the schema of the relational database is displayed on the left-hand side.
Select the target package that you want to update from the Target Schema drop-down list in the top-right.
Activate the check box in the DB Manager on the left-hand side for the data elements from the connected database that you want to change in the target package of the database model on the right-hand side.
Select Database Connection>Import>Change Database Schema.

The dialog with the same name appears.
On the left of the dialog, select the desired configuration.

The configuration options are displayed on the right.
If you select a configuration with "Overwrite", existing database elements in the model are overwritten and new database elements are added.

The data elements selected on the left in the relational database are updated in the data model on the right-hand side.
If you select a configuration with "Complete", existing database elements in the model are not overwritten and new database elements are added.

The database elements selected on the left-hand side are added to the data model of the model on the right-hand side.
If you are still not happy with the results, then you can undo all import changes by selecting Undo (Ctrl+Z).

If you are unable to undo the changes, then you can delete the imported elements in the Result Region.

If the elements are not in the Result Region, then you can easily find the imported elements in the Find dialog in the Find Date tab.