Oracle data modeler tool gets collaborative

From InfoWorld: Oracle will release on Monday Oracle SQL Developer Data Modeler 3.0, an upgrade to its relational database modeling tool that accommodates collaborative development via links to the open source Subversion version control system.

Integrating with Oracle SQL Developer, the tool performs logical relational multidimensional modeling for the Oracle database as well as for Microsoft SQL Server and IBM DB2 databases. The tool "lets developers lay out their database ahead of time," enforcing rules and constraints, said Kris Rice, senior director of database tools at Oracle. The tool features multilayered design and generation capabilities, producing conceptual entity relationship diagrams and transforming them to relational models, Oracle said.

With Subversion support, a team of developers can work together on a single model and track which persons made specific changes, Rice said. While only Subversion is supported now, Rice indicated that Oracle may at some point add backing for other version control systems.

Also featured in version 3.0 is an extensible design rules engine. "[Users] can write custom rules they apply to the entire model," such as rules about updating records, said Rice.

Additionally, version 3.0 lets users work on multiple models instead of only one model. A reporting capability enables publishing of models to a relational schema and tracking of changes. Through a normal SQL query, users can enforce best practices via the reporting feature, Rice said.

The upgrade adds support for Microsoft SQL Server 2005, DB2 8, and Oracle 11g. But to get the tool, users still need an Oracle database license. Oracle views the tool as being of use in heterogeneous database environments as it offers tight integration with the Oracle database and multiplatform support, working with Linux, Mac, and Windows systems. Data models can be imported from other tools.

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