DB-MAIN: a modeling framework

What makes DB-MAIN different from other tools?

DB-MAIN offers the same functions and features as most other standard data-modeling tools, but it also includes many powerful components that these other tools rarely or never offer.

  1. DB-MAIN is model-neutral
  2. DB-MAIN is mothodology-neutral
  3. DB-MAIN is not just a draw-and-generate tool
  4. DB-MAIN for reverse engineering
  5. DB-MAIN includes several assistants
  6. DB-MAIN is programmable
  7. DB-MAIN is extensible
  8. DB-MAIN is available through the internet


  1. DB-MAIN is model-neutral

    2. Its data model encompasses major conceptual models (ER, UML class diagram, UML activity diagram, UML use case diagram and others), modern logical models (relational, object-relational, object-oriented, XML, ...), legacy logical models (CODASYL, IMS, COBOL files, RPG files, ...) and physical models (C, C++, Java, Pascal, COBOL data structures, etc). In addition, the method modelling component allows you to define any of these sub-models.

  2. DB-MAIN is mothodology-neutral

    3. It allows users to work the way that suits them best without constraints on processes or on products. The method modeling component allows you to define specific methods.

  3. DB-MAIN is not just a draw-and-generate tool

    4. It includes powerful analysis, transformation and generation toolboxes for building and fine-tuning complex databases systematically and reliably. The tool preserves all specifications (information structures and integrity constraints) from the conceptual level down to the code, a warranty that most current CASE tools simply cannot give you.

  4. DB-MAIN for reverse engineering

    5. DB-MAIN includes specific models and processors to really reverse engineer most existing (i.e. ill designed and undocumented) legacy databases, ranging from COBOL and RPG files to relational and XML databases.

  5. DB-MAIN includes several assistants

    6. DB-MAIN includes several assistants to help developers perform complex and tedious tasks reliably: schema transformation, schema analysis, schema integration, physical design, code analysis (including programming cliché/pattern search engine, dependency graph analysis and program slicer). Most of them include a scripting facility to record and reuse frequent procedures.

  6. DB-MAIN is programmable

    7. Four levels of programmability allow the user to build reusable process fragments or complete processors that are integrated seamlessly into DB-MAIN.

  7. DB-MAIN is extensible

    8. Various plugins have been developed (by the DB-MAIN team or by the users themselves) to cope with advanced engineering processes: interoperability, wrapper design and generation, XML engineering, Java generators, parametric SQL generators, report generators, special graphic tools, temporal database design and generation, trigger analysis, etc.

  8. DB-MAIN is available through the internet

    9. DB-MAIN is distributed through the internet, making the error detection/fixing cycle very short (a new release is available in less than 2 weeks). The tool is distributed with a rich collection of tutorials, manuals, sample code and case studies that help users understand the database engineering realm and master the various components of the tool.