Please note : This help page is not for the latest version of Enterprise Architect. The latest help can be found here.

Database Functions

Database Functions provide you with a mechanism to extend the functionality of the database server. A Database Function is a routine that accepts parameters, performs an action (such as a complex calculation) and returns the result of that action as a value. Depending on the Function, the return value can be either a single value or a result set.

Once created, a Database Function can be used as an expression in an SQL statement.

In Enterprise Architect, Database Functions can be modeled in one of two ways:

As individual objects (the default method) or
As Operations in a container

Functionally the two methods result in the same DDL being produced. The main difference is visual - by having several Operations in one container, you have fewer elements and less clutter on the diagram.

Individual objects

Database Functions modeled as individual objects are UML Classes with the stereotype «function»; you create these either:

Within the Database Builder or
By dragging the Function icon from the Data Modeling Toolbox onto a diagram

Add a Database Function using the Database Builder

Step	Action	See also
1	Open the Database Builder.	The Database Builder
2	Load or create a Data model.
3	Right-click on the Functions Package and select Add New Function.
4	Overtype the default name with the appropriate name for the Function, and press Enter.
5	Double-click on the new Function, or right-click on it and select SQL Object Properties. The SQL Object Editor screen displays.

Add a Database Function to a diagram

Step	Action	See also
1	Open your Data Modeling diagram and, if necessary, display the Data Modeling page of the Diagram Toolbox (More tools \| Data Modeling).
2	Drag the Function icon onto the diagram. This generates the Function element:
3	Right-click on the new Function element and select SQL Object Properties. The SQL Object Editor screen displays.

Step

Action