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Database design tools
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.
DBDesigner 4
DBDesigner 4 is a visual database design system that integrates database design, modeling, creation, maintenance, and documentation into a single, seamless environment.
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dbDiffo
dbDiffo is a free online database schema designer and provides unlimited tables and projects creation services.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Cloud |
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DTM Data Modeler
DTM Data Modeler is an easy-to-use tool allowing you to work both with logical and physical data models in the form of an entity-relationship diagram. The program can create database schema objects directly in the database and can create SQL scripts corresponding to the model taking into account the specified settings.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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DB Designer Fork
DB Designer Fork is a fork of the fabFORCE DBDesigner 4 and a premium database design tool. It integrates entity relationship design, front-end, and SQL exporting.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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Jeddict
Jeddict is an open source development platform that simplifies development tasks of creating complex entity relationship models. It provides forward & reverse engineering capabilities, import models from existing database, generate complex SQL/DDL, and much more.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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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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Database Deployment Manager
Database Deployment Manager (DDM) tool is a multi-platform tool that allows database administrators and users to create database structures (tables, queries, etc.) using an object-oriented methodology that can be used to populate multiple databases. It creates E-R diagrams between chosen tables, export these as graphics or SVG.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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Database Designer for MySQL
Database Designer for MySQL is a powerful solution for visual database development: creation, modification, and reverse engineering.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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Xcase
Xcase is a complete database design tool engineered to help you accomplish all your database-related tasks – from database design to modeling to daily modifications – with greater speed, higher quality, and better adherence to best practices.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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AnySQL Maestro
AnySQL Maestro is the premier multi-purpose admin tool for database management, control and development.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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Oracle Maestro
Oracle Maestro is the premier Oracle admin tool for database management, control, and development. Its key features include support for all the Oracle versions from 8i to 12c, easy database object management, database designer, PL/SQL debugger, data management (editing, grouping, sorting, and filtering abilities), handy SQL editor, and many more.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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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 |
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DB2 Maestro
DB2 Maestro is the premier DB2 admin tool for database management, control, and development. Its key features include support for all DB2 versions from 8.x to 9.x, easy database object management, database designer, comfortable access to DB2 security features, data management (editing, grouping, sorting, and filtering abilities), handy SQL editor, and many more.
| Desktop/Cloud: | Desktop |
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ASA Maestro
ASA Maestro is the premier SAP (formerly Sybase) SQL Anywhere admin tool for database management, control, and development. Its key features include support for all SQL Anywhere versions from 10 to 17, easy database object management, database designer, comfortable access to DB2 security features, data management (editing, grouping, sorting, and filtering abilities), handy SQL editor, and many more.
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SQL Maestro for MySQL
SQL Maestro for MySQL is the premier tool for MySQL and MariaDB database management, control, and development. It provides a rich set of GUI tools for anyone who uses MySQL and/or MariaDB. Its key features include support for all the MySQL server versions from 3.23, direct support for MariaDB-specific features, easy database object management, database designer, comfortable access to MySQL security features, data management and data analysis tools, many more.
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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.