Database Modeling Software: Which Is the Best? Best answer on the web

January 9, 2009 on 7:33 am | In mybachcars.com |
Database Modeling Software: Which Is the Best? Best answer on the web
  • I want to design a database using database modeling software, and
    after the database is designed, the software will generate the
    database using whatever database platform I choose, such as SQL Server
    2000, Oracle, MySQL, etc. Is there any such software out there, and if
    so, which is the preferred version?


  • Thanks for fast response, budget limit $2000!


  • Great answer for limited money, I prob. should have offered more for a more detailed analysis.


  • oops, better make that $5000.


  • Hi, drive2learn-ga:

    The two big sellers at the top end of data modeling software are ERwin and PowerDesigner. I've used both. I'll recommend PowerDesigner, esp. since with the free trial version, you can find out if it meets your needs. Pricing is very dependent on the particular packaging, volume licensing, etc., so shop around for something better than the list prices shown below.
    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    [AllFusion ERwin DM (Data Modeler) r4.1.4 -- Computer Associates]
    http://www.ca.com/smb/allfusion/

    List price: $3,995 (Windows platform)

    [IBC Standardizes on ERwin Data Modeler -- DMReview]
    http://www.dmreview.com/article_sub.cfm?articleId=1005878

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    [Sybase PowerDesigner Developer 11.0]
    http://www.sybase.com/products/developmentintegration/powerdesigner

    List price: $2,995 (Windows platform)

    Free trial version available.

    [PowerDesigner -- DataModel.org]
    http://www.datamodel.org/PowerDesigner/

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    For a broad assortment of database modeling products, see here:

    [Design Tools Section -- DataModel.org]
    http://www.datamodel.org/DesignToolsSection.html

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    If you were only interested in database diagramming, I'd recommend Visio as "cheap and useful" as a friend describes it. PowerDesigner is useful and pricy! Where ERwin and PowerDesigner distinguish themselves is in schema generation from "logical models".
    If I've not addressed your Question well, please post a Request for Clarification and let me know where I seemed to lose the thread!
    regards, mathtalk-ga


  • http://www.embarcadero.com/


  • Hi, drive2learn-ga:

    Is there a budget parameter to your question? Some relatively inexpensive options exist (see nelson-ga's suggestion, in particular), but the "leading" packages are an order of magnitude more expensive.
    regards, mathtalk-ga