UML Database Diagrams

Database Modeling in UML

  • Include database tables in a UML model
  • Import entire database, or individual tables
  • Table relationships illustrated with connecting lines
  • Support for all major relational database types
  • Database Connection Wizard
  • Generate SQL change scripts
  • SQL Auto-complete Helper Window
  • Modify existing tables
  • Design new database tables and relationships
  • Full suite of DB tools

Modeling Relational Databases in UML

Database UML tool

Database designs and structures are a critical component to many development projects. Support for UML database diagrams in UModel makes it easy to extend the advantages of visual UML modeling to databases, whether you need to create UML diagrams from existing tables, modify diagrams to and sychronize the database, or design new tables and relationships.

UModel supports all major relational databases:

  • Firebird 2.5, 3, 4
  • IBM DB2 for iSeries® v6.1, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4
  • IBM DB2® 8, 9.1, 9.5, 9.7, 10.1, 10.5, 11.5, 11.5.7
  • Informix® 11.70, 12.10, 14.10
  • MariaDB 10, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6.5, 10.9.2
  • Microsoft Access™ 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2019
  • Microsoft® Azure SQL
  • Microsoft® SQL Server® 2005-2022
  • MySQL® 5, 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 8, 8.0.25, 8.0.28
  • Oracle® 9i, 10g, 11g, 12c, 18, 19
  • PostgreSQL 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
  • Progress OpenEdge 11.6
  • SQLite 3.x
  • Sybase® ASE 15, 16
  • Teradata 16

You can easily import an entire relational database in a single step, or choose only the tables in the database that are relevant to your project, to model data structures along with your software application. The UModel Database Connection Wizard makes it easy to connect to your databases quickly.

The UML database diagram functionality in UModel supports multiple databases and automatically adjusts SQL dialects, data types and other specialized features based on the database type. UModel supports these database elements: database schemas, tables, views, check constraints, primary / foreign / unique keys, indexes, stored procedures, functions, triggers, database relationship associations, and database relationships with attributes.

Import Existing Databases

You can import an existing relational database via database table selection dialog, UModel also automatically adds a database profile to your project.

UModel database diagrams are organized in a special category in the Diagram Tree Helper window. Database diagrams are displayed in a form similar to class diagrams with table relationship lines similar to class associations.

Modifying the Database using UML

As you edit your database diagram in UModel, for instance to revise a column datatype, the SQL Auto-completion helper window assists with creation of diagrams valid for the SQL database type.

The database diagram toolbar shares icons with DatabaseSpy, easing the learning curve. You can work directly in the diagram, or edit in the Properties window.

Database Change Scripts

Your project model provides a level of abstraction between the design and the database, just as UML diagrams provide an abstraction for the project source code.

When you generate source code from your UModel project, any changes or additions to your database diagrams generate a Database Change Scripts with SQL commands to implement your enhancements.

Database Change Scripts created in UModel can be saved as SQL files, executed directly in the database, or opened in a DatabaseSpy SQL Editor window via a convenient button in the UModel Database Change Script dialog.

Conversely, if another team member modifies a table directly in the database, you can update the UML model by merging the database changes.

Customers Say

“UModel brings the 'Wow factor' to UML!”

Doug Holland Precision Objects

Database Development

If your project requires extensive database design, you'll want to check out the graphical database design features of DatabaseSpy, Altova's affordable multi-database query, design, and database comparison tool.

A database architect on your team can use DatabaseSpy or any other tool, and other developers can synchronize their UML models by round-trip engineering the revisions.