Latest News from Mike Nicewarner

Sybase PowerDesigner: Impact Analysis

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 09:00:00 EST

Sybase has recently included impact analysis features into the PowerDesigner (PD) modeling tool. If you aren't familiar with PD, it's a powerful tool for modeling business processes, data designs, XML messages, and application logic (ala UML). Within each model, you can view the dependent objects (basically, what would be affected if you deleted something).

About Surrogate and Natural Keys

Tue, 01 Feb 2005 00:00:00 EST

The purpose of this article is to discuss and describe the terms 'Surrogate Key' and 'Natural Key,' and explain when they are appropriate to use in a data model. Furthermore, the concepts of 'Intelligence' and 'Generated' will be applied to both types of keys.

Rules of Data Normalization

Mon, 01 Nov 2004 00:00:00 EST

In this article, I discuss and provide examples of the many rules of data normalization. Currently I count at least seven, which are:

Why Have Conceptual, Logical, and Physical Data Modeling?

Sun, 01 Feb 2004 00:00:00 EST

Many modelers are confused by overlaps in the data modeling terminology from the various vendors, and are not sure how to compare modeling tools when trying to buy one. This article will attempt to shed some light on this topic, and hopefully answer some of the more frustrating questions.

PowerDesigner 8.0 Beta

Thu, 01 Feb 2001 00:00:00 EST

PowerDesigner is a very good data modeling tool, but with UML gaining acceptance in many IT shops, Sybase has gradually added object modeling features. In November, they started another beta program named Beluga primarily to add Use Case and Sequence diagrams, but also to fix some problems with packages and enhance the overall user interface. As with previous PowerDesigner betas, Beluga is stable and closer to a shipping product than any other beta I've seen. It should be generally available by the end of February 2001.

PowerDesigner 7.5 Beta Review by Sybase

Fri, 01 Sep 2000 00:00:00 EDT

Although still in beta, version 7.5 of the PowerDesigner Suite (PD7.5) from Sybase is a stable product. As the fifth iteration of the Dolphin code rewrite, it's mature and highly functional. To examine what PD7.5 looks like, let's walk through it. I like conceptual modeling, so this is where I usually begin. I'm using PowerDesigner version 7.5.0 build 715, the second beta release of the product.

PowerDesigner 8.0 Beta

Tue, 01 Feb 2000 00:00:00 EST

PowerDesigner 7.5 Beta Review by Sybase

Wed, 01 Sep 1999 00:00:00 EDT