Visio version needed?

[Sue]

I've been told that I can diagram database tables and
relationships in Visio - using the database tools in
2003, then convert the whole thing into a shell of a
brand new database (and then build on that using the
database application of course), but after too many hours
trying this, I'm done. I've read help files, researched
on the microsoft site. Is Visio supposed to be able to
do this or not?

 

[Stryder]

You can both generate and update databases from within Visio using the database model diagram. This will produce a ddl script when you use the database generate option. One proviso though, always hand check the script before you run it, Visio has a tendancy to make some script errors and doesn't seem to allow you to do certain things (like add identity seeds in SQL Server). If you design your database using the ER model diagram you have to include this in a database model project before you can then build the database.

 

[Sue]

I appreciate the response. I did use the database model
diagram, then used Tools/Export to database (even tried
the Export to Database Wizard a number of times) and
continued to experience the same problems. 1). it would
only export into a database or table that already
existed, not create a brand new one, and 2). in the
already existant database or table, it only exports
formating things - lines, shapes, width - things that
describes structures of drawings, but no data contained
within developed tables. How do you do it???? I must be
missing SOMEthing!

-----Original Message-----
You can both generate and update databases from within

Visio using the database model diagram. This will produce
a ddl script when you use the database generate option.
One proviso though, always hand check the script before
you run it, Visio has a tendancy to make some script
errors and doesn't seem to allow you to do certain things
(like add identity seeds in SQL Server). If you design
your database using the ER model diagram you have to
include this in a database model project before you can
then build the database.

 

[Al Edlund]

What version of Visio are you using? The forward engineering functionality
is only available in the enterprise architect edition (comes with vs.net).
Al

 

[Sue]

Well - that explains THAT then! I have the Professional
edition. But if you can't forward engineer, then what
good is the Export to Database selection on the toolbar?

 

[Stryder]

I am pretty certain that it is also available in the professional edition as well but I am using Enterprise Architect so I can't be sure (it definitely existed pre-Enterprise Architect). The export to database wizard is for saving the model itself in a database not for generating a database schema. You should have a Database menu option. Under here there should be an option called generate and this allows you to create a ddl script file. You can also update the database directly but there are limitations to both and I would recommend always prducing a script which you can then edit and run on the server.

 

[Stryder]

I have just checked and Professional does include all the database diagramming. If you can create the diagram then you can forward engineer it. Check my previous post to show the correct menu options

 

[Sue]

I will. Thanks to all for your help!

-----Original Message-----
I have just checked and Professional does include all

the database diagramming. If you can create the diagram
then you can forward engineer it. Check my previous post
to show the correct menu options

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

As Al posted, forward engineering of databases is only available in the
Enterprise Architect edition. Visio Professional does not have (or ever
had) this functionality.

--
Mark Nelson
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

I am pretty certain that it is also available in the professional edition

as well but I am using Enterprise Architect so I can't be sure (it
definitely existed pre-Enterprise Architect). The export to database wizard
is for saving the model itself in a database not for generating a database
schema. You should have a Database menu option. Under here there should be
an option called generate and this allows you to create a ddl script file.
You can also update the database directly but there are limitations to both
and I would recommend always prducing a script which you can then edit and
run on the server.

 

[Stryder]

Mark,

I have used Visio to varying degrees since version 3. I thought that I had produced ddl scripts in earlier versions (although it does all fade into one). What was the first version to produce ddl scripts for database generation?

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

Visio 2000 Enterprise, I believe. The Enterprise version has evolved into
the Enterprise Architect offering in Visual Studio.

--
Mark Nelson
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Mark,

I have used Visio to varying degrees since version 3. I thought that I had

produced ddl scripts in earlier versions (although it does all fade into
one). What was the first version to produce ddl scripts for database
generation?

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

This is not my area of expertise, so I can only say that Visio in the Visual
Studio EA product supports forward engineering. Perhaps another database
model user can describe the details.

--
Mark Nelson
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Mark, I am using the most rececnt version of Visio for Enterprise

Architects (ships with VS .NET 2003) and I can't find any way to generate
DDL. Are you sure this feature exists? If it does, how can I use it?