Synchronize database model with database

[tibi]

Is it possible to synchronize the database model with the actual database?

I am building a database. As I progress through the design, I change existing tables, add new tables and remove those that I don't need anymore.

The Generate DDL always generates CREATE commands. However, in my case the initial data in certain tables is as much part of the design as is the table structure. Therefore updating the database structure with DROP/CREATE is not acceptable. I need the DDL to contain ALTER commands rather than CREATE commands.

I noticed that the Generate DDL dialog gives you the opportunity to compare the design with a existing database. It also suggests SQL commands to do the synchronization. However this is only a tease as there is no way of saving those commands to a SQL script or to execute them directly for EA.

So, my question again: how can I syncronize the model with a database?

[«Midnight»]

Only in a very limited manner, and only with some DBMS products. The EA documentation will give you a fairly good idea of what's possible. [Make sure you have the most recent documentation possible; you can get the current version from the Downloads page.]

We've been asking Sparx for this for a while. They've been able to do some of what we (and you) want, thus the above statement. The whole domain (no pun) of synchronizing database design is quite complex though, and they have been taking this a step at a time.

It is difficult to wait for this, but IMHO the potential for disaster - in so many different ways and places - is considerable, and caution is justified. Patience is difficult to come by, but try to find a way.

Meanwhile, you might want to write down specifically and clearly the features you most need. Having done that send in a feature request to Sparx. At the very least this will help them prioritize these things, both in terms of the relative order they attack these, and the overall need for these features among the user community.

David