Data Modelling

[whenthegeeseinvade]

I am designing a database for which I need some data modelling tools. Can anyone recommend some free / cheap tools as a first step into computerised data modelling.

Many thanks.

 

[HiTechCoach]

I am designing a database for which I need some data modelling tools. Can anyone recommend some free / cheap tools as a first step into computerised data modelling.

Many thanks.

I like to use Access and/or Visio.

 

[dkinley]

Depending on the magnitude of the model - I've used Access to provide the model simulation. If it's large in magnitude and records, I personally use MatLab (w/SimulLink) to great extent. I've used Stella in the past with varied success. The reason is the types of PDFs and CDFs that you might want to use are easier to work with since they are built in to those packages. I also like to run a large data set to see the output pattern to provide a feedback mechanism for variable clarification - this can be tasking for applications that aren't built for this purpose.

In all, it just depends on how exacting the model needs to be and the tolerance to compute the confidence level.

Whichever path you choose - the advice I have is to create and generate your random tables to feed your model in advance so the simulations do not take much time (you will only be referencing a data set at sim time, not generating and referencing).

-dK

 

[boblarson]

If you have Visio available to you, that has features for database design.

 

[dkinley]

lol .. oh, database design. If you're a student then DDS-Lite is only about $50 US if not its about double. I've worked with it before for more complex design models but since all I do now is smaller scale stuff - Visio (if needed for clean documentation requirements) but mostly just do it on a whiteboard and then directly in Access.

-dk

 

[whenthegeeseinvade]

Thanks everyone.

The DDSLite looks very good - and requires an understanding of systems analysis and data modelling terminology. I think I'll learn a lot by using it.

The Matlab website looks way too scary for me i'm afraid. Maybe in a few years!

I've created a database within Access which currently has about 100 tables and has become quite unmanageable. I need to do a re-write to create a saleable product as it has just grown organically since I started using Access and I wish to ensure that my data structures are sound.

Does anyone use any other software that they think could be of use?

Thanks again,

Laurence