Creating a PDM using the New model option

Chapter 2 Physical Data Model Basics

Creating a PDM using the New model option

When you create a new PDM using the New model option, you have to define the following:

Name of the model. The code of the model, which may be used for script or code generation, is derived from this name according to the model naming conventions. You can modify the name and/or code at any time from the model property sheet by right-clicking the model entry in the Browser and selecting Properties from the contextual menu.
Select a DBMS
Select a diagram type

DBMS selection

In PowerDesigner, the current DBMS is a text file in XML format that contains all the SQL syntax and specifications for an actual Database Management System.

PowerDesigner has a DBMS definition for each supported database. These DBMS definition files are stored in the DBMS Library directory in the PowerDesigner path. Each DBMS definition file has the extension .XDB which signifies XML Database File. You can customize your DBMS definition.

For more information on customizing your DBMS definition, see chapter DBMS Reference Guide in the Advanced User Documentation .

When you create a PDM, you can connect to a DBMS in one of the following ways:

DBMS	Description
Share	Current DBMS for the PDM constantly refers to the DBMS definition file stored in the DBMS library. Any modifications made to the DBMS are shared by the PDM
Copy	Current DBMS for the PDM is a unique copy of the DBMS definition file stored in the DBMS library. The current DBMS is independent of the original DBMS definition file so modifications made to the DBMS definition file in the DBMS library are not available to the PDM. The copied DBMS definition is saved with the PDM and can not be used without it

Diagram selection

You also have to select the type of the first diagram in the new model. The First Diagram dropdown listbox lets you select one of the following diagrams:

Physical diagram to define the actual physical structure of the database
Multidimensional diagram to define the multidimensional structure of the database

The first type of diagram selected remains in memory: the next time you create a new model, the same type of diagram will appear in the First Diagram dropdown listbox.

To create a new PDM using the New model option:

Select File→New to display the New dialog box.

Select Physical Data Model in the list of model types.

Select the New model radio button in the upper right part of the dialog box.

Type a model name in the Model name box. The code of the model, which may be used for script or code generation, is derived from this name according to the model naming conventions.

Select a DBMS from the DBMS dropdown listbox of the General page.

Select either Share or Copy.

Select the type of the first diagram in the First diagram dropdown listbox.

<optional> If you want to attach one or more extended model definitions to the model, click the Extended Model Definition tab, and select the extended model definitions of your choice.

For more information on attaching extended model definitions to a model, see section PDM extended model definitions.

Click OK.

A new PDM is created in the Workspace.

Select Model→Model Properties.

or

Right-click any empty space in the diagram window and select Properties from the contextual menu.

The model property sheet appears.

Modify the name and code of the model.

Click OK.

Demo example
Demo models are available in the Examples directory.