Working with Data Design Features › Reverse Engineering

Reverse Engineering

You can create a data model by reverse engineering, which is a process that takes advantage of an existing database to speed the design of a new data model and the subsequent delivery of new systems. The process of reverse engineering saves considerable time because the work of creating a new data model directly from the database is done for you.

When you have an existing database from which you want to create a data model, you can reverse engineer the database schema, which is converted into a graphical representation of the database structures in a new model.

The following diagram illustrates the reverse engineering process:

Information in your database or script file is captured, including:

• Tables
• Columns
• Relationships
• Triggers
• Stored procedures
• Validation rules
• Physical storage properties