I want to design a database using database modeling software, and
after the database is designed, the software will generate the
database using whatever database platform I choose, such as SQL Server
2000, Oracle, MySQL, etc. Is there any such software out there, and if
so, which is the preferred version?

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Request for Question Clarification by mathtalk-ga on 17 Jan 2005 22:03 PST

Hi, drive2learn-ga:

Is there a budget parameter to your question?  Some relatively
inexpensive options exist (see nelson-ga's suggestion, in particular),
but the "leading" packages are an order of magnitude more expensive.

regards, mathtalk-ga

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Clarification of Question by drive2learn-ga on 18 Jan 2005 04:11 PST

Thanks for fast response, budget limit $2000!

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Clarification of Question by drive2learn-ga on 18 Jan 2005 04:14 PST

oops, better make that $5000.

Hi, drive2learn-ga:

The two big sellers at the top end of data modeling software are ERwin
and PowerDesigner.  I've used both.  I'll recommend PowerDesigner,
esp. since with the free trial version, you can find out if it meets
your needs.  Pricing is very dependent on the particular packaging,
volume licensing, etc., so shop around for something better than the
list prices shown below.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

[AllFusion ERwin DM (Data Modeler) r4.1.4 -- Computer Associates]
http://www.ca.com/smb/allfusion/

List price: $3,995 (Windows platform)

[IBC Standardizes on ERwin Data Modeler -- DMReview]
http://www.dmreview.com/article_sub.cfm?articleId=1005878

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

[Sybase PowerDesigner Developer 11.0]
http://www.sybase.com/products/developmentintegration/powerdesigner

List price: $2,995 (Windows platform)

Free trial version available.

[PowerDesigner -- DataModel.org]
http://www.datamodel.org/PowerDesigner/

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

For a broad assortment of database modeling products, see here:

[Design Tools Section -- DataModel.org]
http://www.datamodel.org/DesignToolsSection.html

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

If you were only interested in database diagramming, I'd recommend
Visio as "cheap and useful" as a friend describes it.  PowerDesigner
is useful and pricy!  Where ERwin and PowerDesigner distinguish
themselves is in schema generation from "logical models".

If I've not addressed your Question well, please post a Request for
Clarification and let me know where I seemed to lose the thread!

regards, mathtalk-ga

Great answer for limited money, I prob. should have offered more for a
more detailed analysis.

http://www.embarcadero.com/