Messages

1

Automation Interface, Add-Ins and Tools / Re: Make an attribute a PK in target table of a transformation to DDL

« on: May 27, 2026, 08:59:03 am »

Hello Geert good to hear from you! Agree with what you said but the goal is to change the notation of a UML logical model (the IATA AIDM I mentioned in my other post) into the same logical model in IE notation with PKs, migrated FKs and cardinalities.  This .makes it easier to extend the logical model to support our project architecture.  So no talk of transforming to physical level, I just need the transformation scripts to do the job and explanation on how to use them - cheers!

2

Automation Interface, Add-Ins and Tools / Re: Make an attribute a PK in target table of a transformation to DDL

« on: May 26, 2026, 01:31:40 pm »

Hello reviving this post. I have the same issue to trnasform a class diagram with [id] property and Identifier datatype into a logical ERD data model using the DDL transformation.  I googled, ChatGPTed and tried different ways, and could not find clear instructions in the Sparx manuals. 
I need the [id] property / Identifier datatype to be converted to PK, then migrated correctly to FK in related entities.  All logical level so datatypes don't matter.

If someone can provide the transformation scripts and a detailed guide on how to create the transformation template please help!  Thank you!

3

General Board / Anyone working on the IATA AIDM (Prolaborate repository)?

« on: May 11, 2026, 08:17:42 pm »

Hello my company is investigating the IATA IADM airline reference data model.  We are members of the group and have just started looking at it; the model is a Sparx EA in a prolaborate repository and the instructions to access it are clear, except the link needed to obtain a user ID points to the wrong page.  So we have not been able to access it yet (emails sent to IATA).
I would be interested to know if any of us has experuence with this model, what value we can expect to derive from it, and any tips or recommendations on how to best leverage it!  Thank you,

4

General Board / Re: Importing db Column Notes (Descriptions) via Export / Import

« on: November 18, 2025, 07:32:23 pm »

Geert's Excel tool 100%! 

<Cue the Mandalorian> "This is the way"

5

General Board / Re: Best Practices for Modeling a Multi-System Integration?

« on: October 11, 2025, 10:06:01 pm »

Hello
here's my 2c!
1c: do not let your notation drive your model documentation: pick a methodology and then document your systems, processes and data accordingly
2c: Archimate is not the best for understanding the relationships and constraints between data, processes and systems, I think it's easier and more effectively done with UML
OK I lied here's the 3rd cent: don't focus on the diagrams to understand data, processes and systems: the diagram are just small windows into the overall model... the model is the XMI file (or the combined content of EA tables).  This is very Zen but if you understand the difference between a model and diagrams your life will become much easier... at least that's my experience

Good luck!

6

General Board / Re: Incomplete or Buggy Snowflake DB Engineering

« on: July 19, 2025, 12:48:57 pm »

I had a few emails with Sparx sales and support because I bought the 17.1 license specifically for Snowflake and it failed completely to reverse engineer our database.  The parser threw errors where schema names were enclosed in double quotes (as needed) and when view columns had masking statements (as needed).  There were so many parser errors that I could not determine what else it could not do.  Sparx was nice enough but I recommend all interested to also email Sparx sales to increase the visibility of the fact that their product is useless for Snowflake and encourage them to come quickly up with a fix!

7

General Board / Re: Incomplete or Buggy Snowflake DB Engineering

« on: July 11, 2025, 10:05:38 pm »

I also have issues with Snowflake in EA 17.1.  I updated my license from 16 after obtaining written confirmation from Sparx Sales that 17.1 would reverse engineer Snowflake DDL.  it sorta kinda does -ish as long as the DDL is very plain.  In my case reverse engineering fails when views DDL has column masking statements.  So I have to manually edit the DDL before it's run thru EA. 

I really expect that Sparx matures its Snowflake offering before my license needs renewal!

8

Automation Interface, Add-Ins and Tools / Re: Enterprise Architect and AI

« on: July 01, 2025, 09:08:00 pm »

No you still need a brain.  And lots of hard work. 

9

General Board / Re: Publish to Standard HTML

« on: June 20, 2025, 09:56:48 am »

I have the same problem... would be good to get a solution from Sparx!

10

Automation Interface, Add-Ins and Tools / Re: v16 Database Builder does not read VIEW COLUMNS from Oracle DB

« on: May 24, 2025, 12:07:41 am »

I think this is normal.  I extract the column names by querying Oracle metadata and import them into the model with the Belleken importer.

11

Uml Process / Re: Best UML Diagrams for Requirements Gathering?

« on: May 16, 2025, 08:52:08 pm »

Use case diagrams for sure - but there's an art to structuring them to maximize their value. 
Under each use case, one or more sequence diagram.  The sequence diagram is by far the best way to capture who is using what information, what attribute, how they use it and why.  This is invaluable for data modeling but also system architecture, and also test definition.
Activity diagrams don't add much value beyond maybe user interface design as they just show procedural steps without capturing what information is used, where it comes from, where it goes to.  Personally I avoid them.

My 2c good luck!

12

Bugs and Issues / Re: Enterprise Architect Database SQL Issue

« on: February 27, 2025, 10:00:16 pm »

ChatGPT to convert DDL code from one DBMS to another?  Never tried it but may be worth a shot...

13

Automation Interface, Add-Ins and Tools / Re: How to add PK to columns of tables via DML operations?

« on: November 20, 2024, 03:20:48 pm »

YESSSSSS!  Thank you very much

14

Automation Interface, Add-Ins and Tools / How to add PK to columns of tables via DML operations?

« on: November 20, 2024, 02:48:53 pm »

I reverse engineer several database types by querying their metadata objects, exporting to Excel and using Office MDG to import into EA (16.1).  Works well except that primary key columns are imported as <<pk>> stereotype but in EA it is treated as any stereotype and the PK -  NN boxes in the Properties window remain unchecked: EA does not recognize it as a primary key.  So I have to manually check the PK box for every column with a <<pk>> stereotype.
I would like to do that via a DML script like (pseudocode:) UPDATE t_attribute SET somethingsomething = 'pk' WHERE stereotype = 'pk' .  But In Inside EA book I could not find what table column needs to be updated and how.  If anybody knows please help!  Thanks!
ps sorry no time to learn VB or scripting languages... my only option is to run DML on the project database

15

Uml Process / Re: Sequence UML loops question

« on: November 15, 2024, 08:38:39 pm »

Take a look at combined fragments

https://sparxsystems.com/enterprise_architect_user_guide/17.0/modeling_languages/fragment.html