Chapter 1 About This Book

Subject

This book describes the PowerDesigner scripting environment. It shows you how to do the following:

Access and manipulate PowerDesigner metamodel objects using scripts.
Manipulate the repository using scripts.
Manipulate reports using scripts.
Manipulate metadata using scripts.
Manipulate the workspace using scripts.
Communicate with PowerDesigner using OLE Automation.
Customize PowerDesigner menus using add-ins.
Generate and reverse a database using scripts.

Audience

This book is for anyone who wants to use scripting in PowerDesigner. It requires an understanding of the PowerDesigner modeling environment together with an understanding of scripting languages. Some experience with programming will be helpful. For more information, see the Bibliography section at the end of this chapter.

Documentation primer

The PowerDesigner modeling environment supports several types of models:

Conceptual Data Model (CDM) to model the overall logical structure of a data application, independent from any software or data storage structure considerations
Physical Data Model (PDM) to model the overall physical structure of a database, taking into account DBMS software or data storage structure considerations
Object Oriented Model (OOM) to model a software system using an object-oriented approach for Java or other object languages
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 access and manipulate PowerDesigner metamodel objects using scripts. For information on other models or aspects of PowerDesigner, consult the following books:

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 work with the CDM.

Physical Data Model User's Guide To work with the PDM.

Object Oriented Model User's Guide To work with the OOM.

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

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

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

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

Repository User's Guide To work in a multi-user environment using a central repository.

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.

Bibliography

Scripting Website: : http://msdn.microsoft.com/scripting/ .