Import DDL from ODBC

[Neeeol]

I want to import an Acess DB and cannot find the option.  I have a Data Model up, and the title of the diagram (as created by EA) is "Logical Diagram: "Data Model" so I think I'm in the right place.

There is NO menu item even remotely titled "Code Engineering" when I right click on the Data Model diagram.  The closest I get is "Import/Export|Import package from XMI" when I right-click on the Schema folder.  I can't find the "Code Engineering" menu anywhere.

Is this option only available through some plugin?  It certainly doesn't seem to be available using the instructions in the help file:
"1. Select any package in the Logical View.
2. To import into the package only, right-click on the package to bring up the context menu.
3. Select Code Engineering | Import DDL schema from ODBC.  
4. To import into a diagram, select a suitable diagram in the selected package.
5. Right click on the diagram to open the context menu.
6. Select Import DDL schema from ODBC.

Note: Alternatively you can select Import DDL from ODBC from the Project | Database Engineering submenu."

What's the deal?

[«Midnight»]

Instead of the diagram, right-click on the package in the Project Browser tree and select Code Engineering.

Or, use the Database Engineering menu pad under Project in the EA main menu.

Why these aren't the same is as much a mystery to me as anyone...

HTH, David

[Neeeol]

Okay, now I don't feel so bad.     It's got to be missing, because I don't have that menu in either place you mentioned.

Here is the context menu for the project:


And the project menu:


I am using v6.5.798.  Something must be missing.   :-/

[Paolo F Cantoni]

Okay, now I don't feel so bad.     It's got to be missing, because I don't have that menu in either place you mentioned.

I am using v6.5.798.  Something must be missing.   :-/

Yes, A consistent interface...  

You can't code engineer to/from an EA Project root (your Model package).  Add a View package and the Code Engineering will appear in the context menu for the view...

HTH,
Paolo

[Eve]

The problem could be only that you're trying from a root node and the options are disabled because root nodes aren't allowed to contain elments or diagrams.

But judging from your project menu I think it's more likely that the problem is that you only have a Desktop license, and all code engineering including database engineering requires at least a professional license.

To check you license select Help | About from the main menu and look in the Registration Details.

To read more of the differences between different editions please see http://www.sparxsystems.com/EAUserGuide/index.html?editiondifferences.htm.

To upgrade your edition of EA please go to http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/registered/reg_ea_upgrade.htm.

[Neeeol]

Well, I tried that (I think.)  the menu I get when I right click on any of the packages (with the folder icon) is slightly different but still doesn't contain the needed menu item.

I started by creating a new project and i just included a database model.  That created this project:


I have tried right clicking on each of these objects.  As I understand it, Schema1 is a view.  No matter what I create, I cannot get the needed menu.


 

[Paolo F Cantoni]

Oops... As Simon suggests, I forgot to ask which variant of EA you were using...  

For the record, in your exampe, Data Model is a View  Schema1 is a Package in EA parlents...  Model is a Model or a Project Root (depending on which part of the UI you are talking to)...  All the project roots (and there can be more than one) sit inside a Project or Repository (again depending on which part of the UI you talk to).

Thus you get the situation that a Project contains multiple Project Roots...  

In the documentation, Project Roots are packages, Views are packages and Packages are packages.  As George Orwell would say - All packages are equal, but some are more equal than others...

If you're confused you may like to try my nominations:

EA allows for a number of containers:
The Repository - a single instaceof either a .EAP file or a database schema.
The Repository contains one or more Subjects.
Each Subject may contain a number of Views
Each View may contain a number of Packages
Each Package may, itself contain, Packages

Slightly less confusing I'd submit...

Paolo

[size=0]©2006 Paolo Cantoni, -Semantica-[/size]

[Eve]

Have a look at my previous post.

It definately appears that you only have the desktop edition and this is why you can't do any database engineering.

[Neeeol]

Yes, I only have the desktop edition.

It would be nice if the documentation for database engineering mentioned that it wasn't available in the desktop edition.

Thanks for your help.  Sorry for the wild goose chase.

[«Midnight»]

The documentation for the various versions does mention this. Still, you're quite correct.

Perhaps you should submit a request to Sparx for this. From the EA main menu choose Help | On-line Resources | Request-a-Feature, or even ... | Bug Report Page.

David

[Neeeol]

What I meant by the documentation should mention it is that the documentation on how to use the specific feature should mention it. The help topic "Import Database Schema from ODBC" makes no mention of this.  In fact, it's misleading, because it states unequivically that "Enterprise Architect supports importing database tables from an ODBC data source."  No qualification as to which version(s) support this is made.

No harm done.  I eventually got my answer.  Thanks.

[«Midnight»]

Still, you make a valid point. It should be mentioned.

At the very least the documentation could provide an up to date copy of the version / feature grid someplace prominent near the beginning.

I think it is worth your sending in a feature request to this effect.

[Neeeol]

Will do.