Physical data models

A physical data model is a database-specific model that represents relational data objects (for example, tables, columns, primary and foreign keys) and their relationships. A physical data model can be used to generate DDL statements which can then be deployed to a database server.Using the workbench, you can create a physical data model in several ways:Create a blank physical model by using a wizard Create a physical model from a template by using a wizard Reverse engineer a physical model from a database or a DDL file by using a wizard or by dragging data objects from the Data Source Explorer Import a physical data model file from the file system Create a physical model by transforming from a logical data model A typical task flow for physical data modeling is:Create a physical data model using one of the methods that were listed previously in this document. Add storage objects, indexes, and views as needed. Generate a DDL script for the physical data model. Run the DDL script to create the corresponding data objects on a server.

Creating a physical data model by using a wizard Use the New Physical Data Model wizard to create a new physical data model. Modifying physical data models You can modify a physical data model using the Data Project Explorer, the Properties view, or a data diagram. You can also generate physical data model objects such as views and MQTs from SQL statements. When you modify physical data model objects, other related objects might also be modified using key migration. Generating relational views from SQL statements You can use SELECT statements and FULLSELECT statements in a physical data model of a data design project to generate relational views in the physical data model. Modifying the properties of a physical data object in the Properties view Use the Properties view to modify the properties of physical data model objects. Generating materialized query tables from SQL statements You can use SELECT statements and FULLSELECT statements in a physical data model of a data design project to generate materialized query tables (MQTs) in the physical data model. Modeling temporal data You can use the workbench to model data that is based on time. Use the temporal features of the workbench to create and modify temporal objects. Related concepts: Visualizing and editing a physical data model Data object comparison Related tasks: Generating a DDL script Analyzing a data model Analyzing impact and dependency Related information: Exporting data models to another tool Importing data models from another tool Publishing data models