Schema Modeler
From RemObjects Software
This is a Data Abstract Tool topic
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General Overview
On of the pillars of Data Abstract is its use of Schemas to abstract the structure and type of the back-end database away from the code in client and middle tier, as described in more detail here.
To make the task of defining and maintaining schemas easy and comfortable, Data Abstract includes the Schema Modeler™ application, which integrates with the Visual Studio and Delphi IDEs but can also be used standalone.
Schema Modeler™ has been designed from the ground up to be usable both by the developers with implementing the middle (and possibly client) tier, as well as database administrators or architects that only want to define the schemas that later will be coded against by other members of the development team.
Tasks typically performed in Schema Modeler™ include:
- Define Connections against the real back-end databases, using any of the many drivers supported by Data Abstract.
- Browse tables, views and stored procedures available on the back-ends, with Data Explorer.
- Define Data Tables to expose as part of the schema, via drag and drop or by manually configuring the tables as desired.
- Where needed, configure Column Mappings to define how fields from data tables map to differently-named fields in the back-end.
- Configure mappings of data tables to differently-named tables in the back-end databases, when targeting multi-database scenarios.
- Run and test data tables against various back-ends to see if they are functioning as expected.
- Run the Validate Schema Wizard across the entire schema to ensure it is consistent and properly matches the back-end databases.
Schema Modeler Integration in Visual Studio
In Data Abstract for .NET, schemas are handled as separate files within a project, named with a .daSchema extension and linked into the compiled project as resources. Schema Modeler™ integrates with Visual Studio so that you can double-click .daSchema files right from solution explorer to open and edit the file.
Schema Modeler Integration in Delphi
In Data Abstract for Delphi, schemas are handled through TDASchema components dropped on forms or data modules that contain the schema definition within and store it as part of the DFM. IDE integration with Delphi and RAD Studio is provided that allows you to double-click a TDASchema component to launch Schema Modeler™ and edit the schema.
You can also right-click a TDASchema component to load or save the schema from/to a .daSchema file - making it easy to exchange schema information with .NET projects or to import a schema received from a database architect.
Launching Schema Modeler
Schema Modeler™ can be invoked in several ways:
- By launching it directly via the "RemObjects Data Abstract" Start menu entry
- By double-clicking a .daSchema file in Windows Explorer
- For .NET, by double-clicking on the .daSchema in the Visual Studio Solution Explorer
- For Delphi by double-clicking a TDASchema component in the Delphi IDE or selecting Edit Schema from it's context menu.
- Schema Modeler will also run as part of the New Project Guide Wizard when creating a new Data Abstract application using the provided templates.
Using Schema Modeler Standalone
Schema Modeler™ can also be started standalone, either by running it from the Windows Start menu or by double-clicking a .daSchema file in Windows Explorer. When run standalone, additional options for loading/saving schemas are available in the menu that are hidden when Schema Modeler™ was started integrated with the IDE.
Schema Modeler™ also supports retrieving or publishing a schema directly from/to a running DAServer.
See Also
Product: RemObjects Data Abstract
Current version: Data Abstract 'Vinci' (5.0)
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