New Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeling Facility (pre-production level)

Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeling software is a new and impressive Data Modeling Facility for Data Architects and Data Base Administrators. The Early Adopter 2 (Build 525) is available for free download from Oracle at http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/sql/modelingdownload.html

Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeling runs on MS Windows, Linux and Mac OS. Schemas can be imported from Oracle Databases 9.2.0.1 or higher, SQL Server 2000 and above and DB2/LUWv7. Bachman Data Analyst and DBA, Sterling COOL:DBA V2.1, Sterling Bsnteam V7.2 and Cayenne Bsnteam V7.2 formats are supported. For Multi-Dimensional Models Cube Views metadata and XMLA. Primary support of course is for the Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeling model.

The user guide is downloadable directly from http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/database/sql_developer/pdf/dmdug.pdf

First Impressions: This is a very promising tool however it is still a work in progress. The product is not yet available as a snap-in to SQL Developer and the repository is still pending. Full release is anticipated for late 2009 - most likely before or in connection with Oracle World 2009 in San Francisco.

Import of Data Dictionary based models from Oracle Instances is fairly straightforward however, any work with SQL Server 2000 or higher databases requires manual download of the Microsoft JDBC Driver and manual registration of the driver within the Third Party JDBC Driver section in the General Tools Panel. Configuring the ports for SQL Server Connections can be tricky since the default or named instance ports are not recognized - only the listener ports work and then the object settings appear somewhat scattered over users who are not necessarily dbos. Selection of the Table Objects with the SS JDBC do work though once you work through the above.

The workings of designs are primarily driven by property sheets when imported. Developing ER Designs from scratch involve heavy use of the Object/Relational Pull Down Menu for activation of Table and Relations drawing modes. An more true interactive designer appears to be missing at this point - one in which right clicking anywhere in the design area could be used to activate any design mode.