DataArchitect is a powerful tool that provides ERD capability like PowerDesigner as well as the ability to graphically reverse engineer, create and modify a database through ODBC and perform advanced SQL functions.
What's new in DataArchitect
Version 4.3:
Upgraded engine to Qt 4.8.0
Faster object movement in the diagrams, especially on OSX
SVG Support
Crash reports automatically submitted
Remote software update implemented
iODBC included on Linux/Unix platforms
Setup available to switch between builds
Faster SQL execution by using binding during reverse engineering
Use iODBC Unicode on OSX 10.5 and above
Added samle models for all supported databases
Import Firebird domains
Features
Workspace/Project oriented environment
ERD centric data modelling
Logical Data Model
Physical Data Model (Oracle, ODBC, SQL92, MySQL, PostgreSQL, DB2, FireBird, MS SQL, SQLBase)
model panner ('birds eye view')
quick find and navigation from output window
model validation
full documentation capabilities
integrated Advanced SQL Editor with syntax highlighting
save/load SQL sessions
integrated ODBC
multi-platform (Linux (x86, x86_64, ppc), Windows, Solaris and OSX)
open file format (XML)
DBMS specific features such as data types and SQL syntax
reverse engineer existing databases
generate create-scripts
print model
print data dictionary
liberal use of tool-tips to help Users
integrated Team Diagram (general purpose diagramming)
Dynamically drop/add keys and linked indexes
Dynamically add foreign keys on tables
supports table inheritance
supports: table, view, domain, sequence, procedure, and more
Full unicode support
Planned features
Support for database specific features of Oracle, etc.
Support for file standard in use by PowerDesigner, Rational etc
Area zones in order to work with an selected amount of objects
Create modify script (SQL script to modify existing database with data preservation)
Supported databases
generic using ODBC (included)
generic using SQL92 (included)
MySQL (included)
PostgreSQL (included)
InterBase/FireBird (included)
DB2 (optional - additional cost)
MSSQL (optional - additional cost)
Gupta SQLBase (optional - additional cost)
Oracle (optional - additional cost)
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I am commenting upon the latest iteration of version 2; I refuse to pay for the upgrade.
I like this program because it is an ERD program, and its available for the Mac. I haven't found anything else in this category (OmniGraffle doesn't count).
My problems with it make it unusable, in my opinion. Firstly, the interface is kludgy and very un-aqua. Drawing tables is slow, and there is a delay between selecting clicking on something to drag it and when it begins to drag. This means that if I've already begun to drag before the program begins to drag then my mouse will be where I want it to be but the item being dragged will be offset to the position where it was when the program caught up with me. Hard to explain, but very annoying. Similarly, if I doubleclick on an object it seems to want to drag it around so if I don't click again in the same place before clicking in a text field (such as table name), then it will move the object to the location of the click.
My biggest problem, and the reason I refuse to use it, is that it crashes. At first I put up with it because I'm designing a huge DB right now. I made it a point to save after practically every change. Then, the worst scenario happened. In the middle of a save it crashed on me, completely zero-ing out the file and losing every bit of my work.
Use this new version at your own risk, I guess.
BTW, I'm on a G4 1ghz 1G RAM.
I'm still a bit at odds over ERD on OS X also. Shortly, XERD I think is good for small schemas with maybe less than a dozen entities. Past that and the inability to copy and paste entities bites. Data architect has a more complete package of things with it's domains, data types, and entities, but sadly kept crashing on me. I've become to not really care for Java whatsoever except on my cellular.
When I recently had to take my 12 entities in 3NF and normalize further to 4NF and modify the subsequent data model and application design, I didn't even bother with XERD or trying Data Architect again. I pushed through using scraps of paper and manually stroking the code together. However, after a couple of days, I realized the futility of such an endeavor and finally turned my PC on.
I really do try to do everything on my 12" PowerBook, but alas there's some things that it doesn't have. The two biggest at this point in time is TOAD and PowerDesigner as I work in an Oracle shop. I do have Virtual PC, but it's a beaten dog to run, hence the PC box.
Anyways, I'm using Sybase's PowerDesigner for conceptual and physical data modeling. It does basically everything I need it to do and more without too much effort. Simply put, it lets me concentrate on building what I want instead of what tool am I going to use to do it.
In the end, I've moved back to using a Windows tool to handle my database design. I'd prefer it to be an OS X one, but it ain't.
I wish you well in search. If DataArchitect doesn't crash frequently on you and offers the database support you need, then I think you'll have a good tool.
I am commenting upon the latest iteration of version 2; I refuse to pay for the upgrade.
I like this program because it is an ERD program, and its available for the Mac. I haven't found anything else in this category (OmniGraffle doesn't count).
My problems with it make it unusable, in my opinion. Firstly, the interface is kludgy and very un-aqua. Drawing tables is slow, and there is a delay between selecting clicking on something to drag it and when it begins to drag. This means that if I've already begun to drag before the program begins to drag then my mouse will be where I want it to be but the item being dragged will be offset to the position where it was when the program caught up with me. Hard to explain, but very annoying. Similarly, if I doubleclick on an object it seems to want to drag it around so if I don't click again in the same place before clicking in a text field (such as table name), then it will move the object to the location of the click.
My biggest problem, and the reason I refuse to use it, is that it crashes. At first I put up with it because I'm designing a huge DB right now. I made it a point to save after practically every change. Then, the worst scenario happened. In the middle of a save it crashed on me, completely zero-ing out the file and losing every bit of my work.
Use this new version at your own risk, I guess.
BTW, I'm on a G4 1ghz 1G RAM.
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