Database ERD in EA

[Larry23]

Dear All,

I am presently using the evaluation version of EA. My task is to create the Entity Relationship Diagram using Data Modeling feature of EA.

Question:
Usually the time Primary /Foreign Key and index constraints are displayed on the bottom half of the table/class, because as per UML, EA treats these as Operations. Is it possible for me to move them above the list of attributes?

This is how most of the DB modeling tools like Erwin etc work. Usually the PK would be on the top, seperated by a line and then the rest of the attributes would be listed.

Any help on the matter would be much appreciated.

Larry.

[thomaskilian]

Larry,
AFAIK this is not possible with EA. As you stated EA is an UML modelling tool.  The UML spec states

Presentation Options
A class is often shown with three compartments. The middle compartment holds a list of attributes while the bottom
compartment holds a list of operations.
Attributes or operations may be presented grouped by visibility. A visibility keyword or symbol can then be given once for
multiple features with the same visibility.
Additional compartments may be supplied to show other details, such as constraints, or to divide features.

If you're going for an UML tool you'll have to live with that.

[Larry23]

Thanks Thomas.

I realized I could hide the operations in table/class. Is it possible for me to completely hide the 3rd column which holds the operations?

I mean, I have hidden the listed operations but I still see the empty column in the bottom.

Regards,
Larry

[thomaskilian]

You can select "Hide operations" from the diagram properties. (I suppose you mean row, not column).

[Larry23]

Thanks once again Thomas.

Appreciate your help.

Sumit

[Larry23]

Hello All,

Another question: Is it possible for me to print the zoomed in version of my ERD?

The software is spitting out the design in 25-30 pages.

Regards,
Larry

[CJ]

G'day,

Larry, I'd suggest that you put in a feature request to Sparx to provide an "ERD display option (non-standard UML)" for data modeling.  If it's easy enough for Sparx to implement, maybe they can attract some more ERD modellers...  I'm not sure I like the idea, but hey, I wouldn't have to use it.

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I can't figure out a way to natively print a section of a diagram in EA.  I would suggest that it would be wise to split your super-large diagram into many smaller ones.  They could be put back together as a large diagram with (look in EA's help index) "Hyperlinks" (using frames, which essentially gives you diagrams within diagrams).

Alternatively, you could use something like SnagIt, a screen capture utility that lets you grab any area on your monitor for capture and printing.