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 above methods.
- 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.