Database Properties

To view or edit a database's properties, double-click its diagram symbol or Browser or list entry. The property sheet tabs and fields listed here are those available by default, before any customization of the interface by you or an administrator.

The General tab contains the following properties:

Property

Description

Name/Code/Comment

Identify the object. The name should clearly convey the object's purpose to non-technical users, while the code, which is used for generating code or scripts, may be abbreviated, and should not normally include spaces. You can optionally add a comment to provide more detailed information about the object. By default the code is generated from the name by applying the naming conventions specified in the model options. To decouple name-code synchronization, click to release the = button to the right of the Code field.

Stereotype

Extends the semantics of the object. You can enter a stereotype directly in this field, or add stereotypes to the list by specifying them in an extension file.

Type
Specifies the database type. You can choose between:

  • Undefined – any standard relational database.



  • RepConnector™ – a database which captures database changes in real time and deliver them in XML to message queues, that can be used by any supported message queuing system.



  • UltraLite® – a relational database with synchronization features for small, mobile, and embedded devices (PDA, Pocket PC etc.).



Types are specified in the extensions (XEM) attached to the model. Click the Preview tab to view the generated code according to the type you selected.

Server

Specifies the name of the server to which the database is deployed. Use the tools to the right of the list to create a server, browse the complete tree of available servers or view the properties of the selected server (see Servers (DMM)).

Keywords

Provide a way of loosely grouping objects through tagging. To enter multiple keywords, separate them with commas.

Physical Data Models Tab

This tab lets you associate one or more PDMs with the database in order to describe its structure. PDMs must be open in the workspace to create associations. Click the Add Existing Physical Data Models tool in the toolbar to open a selection list, select one or more PDMs and click OK. You can click the Open Model tool in the toolbar to open the associated PDM.

Database Connection Tab

This tab allows PowerDesigner to communicate with the database in order to generate your models and reverse engineer your data sources. The following properties are available:

Property

Description

Data source

Specifies the connection profile that is used to connect to your database. Click the Select a Data Source tool to open the Select a Data Source dialog and select one of the following radio buttons, depending on your chosen method for connecting to your data source:

  • ODBC machine data source

  • ODBC file data source - use the tool to the right of the data source field to browse to a new file.

  • Connection profile - use the tools to the right of the data source field to browse to a new directory or file.

Use the Modify and Configure buttons to modify or configure your data source connection. Click OK to close the dialog.

For detailed information about creating, configuring, and using connection profiles, see Core Features Guide > Modeling with PowerDesigner > Getting Started with PowerDesigner > Connecting to a Database.

Login

Specifies the name of the user ID with which you log on to the database.

Password

Specifies the password for the connection.
Parent topic: Databases (DMM)