How do I change the order of columns, index columns, views, procedure and triggers?
Using the Alt-Up arrow or Alt-Down arrow will move the selected item to desired position.
Why are some of the constraints and indexes named differently when a database is reverse engineered?
Database objects are renamed using the configured naming conventions; this feature can be turned off by un-checking the “Name Generate” check box in the “Project/Version Details” tab, this way the imported database object names are maintained the same as the working database.
How can I use dbConstructor to normalize the prefix and or suffix object naming conventions of existing databases?
This requires the user to import an initial version of the database with the “Name Generate” check box in the “Project/Version Details” tab unchecked, then creating a new version of the database by clicking on the “Version/New Version” menu option and clicking the “OK” button in the “New DB Schema Version” dialog. Once the version is created the user then re-imports the database over the new version making sure that the “Name Generate” check box in the “Project/Version Details” tab is now checked. The last step requires the user to create a “Version Synchronization” script and run this script against the working database. Doing the above steps in addition to normalizing the prefix and suffix naming conventions also synchronizes the working database with imported database and any future alterations to the working database can be handled by dbConstructor.
How does dbConstructor save a project?
Projects in reality are self contained directory structures that hold the XML data files, project definition files and default scripts directory. This makes for an easy way to maintain and organize multiple projects. I usually recommend that an initial directory called DBProjects is created and then all projects can be subdirectories of the DBProjects directory, making for a logical and well thought-out data structure.
Can I copy a project to a different directory or drive and still have it correctly reference its script and definition files?
Yes all files contained in a project subdirectory are marked internally as pertaining the given project so that moving a project to a different drive will maintain the same references. Files that are referenced outside the project directory structure will be maintained for the given location.
How come when I load a previous version none of the fields are editable?
When a new version of the database is created the previous version is put in a locked state. Even though it’s recommended that once a new version is created no alterations should be made to previous versions , it still can be done by un-checking the “Locked” check box in the “Project/Version Details” tab. Checking the “Locked” check box can also safeguard the latest version against undesired changes.
When I am defining a domain data type the drop down list shows very cryptic data types, how do I know what they represent?
The Domain “Data Type” field is an abbreviation, the “Data Type Long Descr.” field is the more human friendly data type definition.
Why don’t the predefined data types seem to correspond to the data types defined by the database platform or platforms that I work with?
The data types defined in dbConstructor are what are called Near Physical Data Types that are mapped to the corresponding database platform data types by the scripting engine which are defined in the platform definition files.
How come I can’t define the data type directly in the “Columns” grid?
dbConstructor enforces the use of Domain Data Types which in the long run makes maintaining your database much more manageable and ensures data type consistency. An example would be a Domain Data Type named Description that is a varchar (Variable Charecters) 50 that is referenced by multiple columns is changed to a varchar 60 is reflected in all columns that reference this Domain Data Type.
When I make alterations to a DB Schema Layout Setting and then change to a different Layout Setting and then come back to the altered Layout Setting my modifications have disappeared, what gives?
There are two ways to make sure that your Layout Setting modifications are maintained, the first is to click on the “View/Save Layout Setting” or Ctrl-Y after making the desired changes and the second option is to check the “Auto Save” check box in the “Tools/Options” “Layout Settings” dialog.
