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Database design tools for Azure SQL Database
List of tools that allow for the design of a database.
Database design is a set of activities aimed at improving the development, implementation, and maintenance of an enterprise data management system. Its main goal is to reflect the outline of the database system into real models: physical and logical. Database designers determine what data is to be stored inside the database, and how objects are to be related to each other.
Dataedo
Dataedo is a metadata management tool with data description language (DDL) export. It reads your schema and lets you easily describe each data element (tables and columns) and other database objects (like triggers, stored procedures, etc.) visually as ER diagrams. Additionally, DDL export allows you to export your database to a set of statements like CREATE and ALTER.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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| Generate DDL scripts: |
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| Free edition: |
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| ER Diagram: |
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MS SQL Maestro
MS SQL Maestro is the premier GUI admin tool for Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Database database management, control, and development. Its key features include support for all Microsoft SQL Server versions from 7.0 to 2019, support for Microsoft Azure SQL Database 11 and 12, easy database object management, database designer, data management and data analysis tools, visual query builder, and many more.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
|---|---|
| Generate DDL scripts: |
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| Free edition: |
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| ER Diagram: |
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SQL Server Management Studio
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for managing any SQL infrastructure, from SQL Server to Azure SQL Database. SSMS provides tools to configure, monitor, and administer instances of SQL Server and databases. SSMS is used to deploy, monitor, and upgrade the data-tier components used by your applications, and build queries and scripts.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
|---|---|
| Generate DDL scripts: |
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| Free edition: |
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| ER Diagram: |
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Gleek.io
Gleek.io diagram maker is freemium text-to-diagram tool for developers and software architects. It enables the visual design of database online, in the cloud and from any browser. Create informal, UML, or entity-relationship diagrams - using just your keyboard.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Cloud |
|---|---|
| Generate DDL scripts: |
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| Free edition: |
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| ER Diagram: |
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DeZign for Databases
DeZign for Databases uses ERD and data models to graphically design databases and automatically generates the most popular databases.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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| Generate DDL scripts: |
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| Free edition: |
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| ER Diagram: |
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DbVisualizer
DbVisualizer is the universal database tool for developers, DBAs, and analysts. It is aimed to simplify database development and management. It provides tree-based navigation through database objects and let multiple objects to be displayed side-by-side.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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| Generate DDL scripts: |
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| Free edition: |
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| ER Diagram: |
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DatabaseSpy
Altova DatabaseSpy is the unique multi-database query, design, and database comparison tool that even generates elegant charts directly from query results.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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| Generate DDL scripts: |
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| Free edition: |
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| ER Diagram: |
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Model Xtractor
Model Xtractor is a software utility designed to inspect modeling for traditional or enhanced ER models, with support for most relational database platforms.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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| Generate DDL scripts: |
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| Free edition: |
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| ER Diagram: |
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ERBuilder Data Modeler
ERBuilder Data Modeler allows developers to graphically design databases by using entity relationship diagrams, and automatically generates the most popular SQL databases.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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| Generate DDL scripts: |
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| Free edition: |
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| ER Diagram: |
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The database design process can be very complicated. The more complex the system, the more sophisticated the tool is needed. Their functionality can vary greatly, however, core features include:
• creating and editing database objects,
• database architecture modeling,
• visualization of a database schema,
• tracking relationships between entities,
• grouping logically related objects into clusters,
• diagrams overview.
Database designer tools enable building graphical models and generating DDL scripts on their basis. The script describes data and relations between entities in the designed database. Furthermore, the tools enable reverse engineering (visualization of the model from the SQL script).
Key factors of creating a reliable and well-organized database are:
• a properly designed data structure,
• establishing what data should be stored in particular objects,
• how objects should be related to each other.
All of them can be improved by using the relevant Database design tool. Additionally, some of them allow the visual representation of data using ERD, makes it easier to visualize even more complex schemas.
Without proper software, development is based on raw code. This increases the risk of errors at the initial stage. The tools allow users to edit the visual layout using simple drag-and-drop functions. With a user-friendly interface, browsing the structure is possible even for non-IT people.
We have created a list of tools that support the process of creating database structure and its content. Our list includes free database design tools as well as advanced, more professional data management tools.