Chapter 1 About this Book

Subject

This book explains how to use the PowerDesigner Repository.

Audience

This book assumes that:

• You are an experienced Windows user
• You are familiar with the client/server architecture

The chapter "Administrating Repository users" in this manual is designed for database administrators.

Documentation primer

The PowerDesigner modeling environment supports several types of models:

• Conceptual Data Model (CDM) to model the overall logical structure of a database, independent from any software or data storage structure considerations. A valid CDM can be converted to a PDM or an OOM
• Physical Data Model (PDM) to model the overall physical structure of a database, taking into account DBMS software or data storage structure considerations. A valid PDM can be converted to a CDM or an OOM
• Object Oriented Model (OOM) to model a software system using an object-oriented approach for Java or other object languages. A valid OOM can be converted to a CDM or a PDM
• Business Process Model (BPM) to model the means by which one or more processes are accomplished in operating business practices
• XML Model (XSM) to model the structure of an XML file using a DTD or an XML schema
• Requirements Model (RQM) to list and document the customer needs that must be satisfied during a development process
• Information Liquidity Model (ILM) to model the replication of information from a source database to one or several remote databases using replication engines
• Free Model (FEM) to create any kind of chart, diagram, in a context-free environment

This book only explains how to use the Repository. For information on other models or aspects of PowerDesigner, consult the following book:

General Features Guide To get familiar with the PowerDesigner interface before learning how to use any of the models.

Conceptual Data Model User's Guide To build a CDM.

Physical Data Model User's Guide To build a PDM.

Object Oriented Model User's Guide To build an OOM.

Business Process Model User's Guide To build a BPM.

Information Liquidity Model User's Guide To work with an ILM.

Requirements Model User's Guide To work with an RQM.

XML Model User's Guide To work with an XSM.

Reports User's Guide To create reports for any or all models.

Typographic conventions

PowerDesigner documentation uses specific typefaces to help you readily identify specific items:

• monospace text (normal and bold)
  
  Used for: Code samples, commands, compiled functions and files, references to variables.
  
  Example: declare user_defined..., the BeforeInsertTrigger template.
• bold text
  
  Any new term.
  
  Example: A shortcut has a target object.
• small caps
  
  Any key name. Example: Press the enter key.

Copyright (C) 2007. Sybase Inc. All rights reserved.