Adaptive Server includes the model database, which provides a template, or prototype, for new user databases. Each time a user enters the create database command, Adaptive Server makes a copy of the model database and extends the new database to the size specified by the create database command.
A new database cannot be smaller than the model database.
The model database contains the required system tables for each user database. You can modify model to customize the structure of newly created databases—everything you do to model will be reflected in each new database. Some of the changes that System Administrators commonly make to model are:
Adding user-defined datatypes, rules, or defaults.
Adding users who should have access to all databases on Adaptive Server.
Granting default privileges, particularly for “guest” accounts.
Setting database options such as select into/bulkcopy/pllsort. The settings will be reflected in all new databases. Their original value in model is off. For more information about the database options, see Chapter 23, “Setting Database Options.”
Typically, most users do not have permission to modify the model database. There is not much point in granting read permission either, since Adaptive Server copies its entire contents into each new user database.
The size of model cannot be larger than the size of tempdb. By default, the size of the model database is four allocation units. Adaptive Server displays an error message if you try to increase the size of model without making tempdb at least as large.
Keep
a backup copy of the model database, and back
up model with dump database each
time you change it. In case of media failure, restore model as
you would a user database.
