Building Data Models

The chapters in this part explain how to model your data systems in SAP® Sybase® PowerDesigner®.

• Getting Started with Data Modeling
  A data model is a representation of the information consumed and produced by a system, which lets you analyze the data objects present in the system and the relationships between them. PowerDesigner provides conceptual, logical, and physical data models to allow you to analyze and model your system at all levels of abstraction.
• Conceptual and Logical Diagrams
  The data models in this chapter allow you to model the semantic and logical structure of your system.
• Physical Diagrams
  A physical data diagram provides a graphical view of your database structure, and helps you analyze its tables (including their columns, indexes, and triggers), views, and procedures, and the references between them.
• Multidimensional Diagrams
  A multidimensional data diagram provides a graphical view of your datamart or data warehouse database, and helps you identify the facts and dimensions that will be used to build its cubes.
• Checking a Data Model
  The data model is a very flexible tool, which allows you quickly to develop your model without constraints. You can check the validity of your Data Model at any time.
• Generating and Reverse-Engineering Databases
  PowerDesigner provides full support for round trip generation and reverse-engineering between a PDM and a database.
• Generating Other Models from a Data Model
  You can generate various types of PowerDesigner models from CDMs, LDMs, and PDMs.
• Migrating from ERwin to PowerDesigner
  You can easily import a model built with ERwin into PowerDesigner with no loss of metadata. PowerDesigner allows complete flexibility through reliable linking and synchronization between conceptual, physical and object-oriented model approaches, providing outstanding model clarity and flexibility.