Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2007/09/18/embarcadero_disciplines_xml_schema/

Embarcadero brings discipline to XML schema

ER/Studio upgrade to standardise SOA data

By Phil Manchester

Posted in Software, 18th September 2007 17:06 GMT

Database tool builder Embarcadero wants to make life easier for data modellers involved in building Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) applications.

Version 7.5 of its ER/Studio data modelling tool, announced last week, includes features to generate XML schemas based on traditional database modelling techniques.

Embarcadero says undisciplined use of XML is causing problems in enterprise computing, because it is not subject to the usual formal standards process (which is the norm in traditional database design).

"XML is in wide use in enterprises but developers are building non-standard code using their own rules. When we spoke to our top 10 customers they told us that data modellers need the tools to get more involved with XML in the development cycle so this is what ER/Studio 7.5 aims to do," Embarcadero product management VP Greg Keller explains.

"The current transition to XML and SOA is in some ways a repeat of the shift from the solid model of the mainframe to client/server computing in the early 1990s. It means that you need new tools to map model-driven development on to the new technology," he goes on.

He adds that ER/Studio 7.5 also aims to simplify data modelling for XML schema by using a graphical interface: "It is important to find ways to take technology forward without introducing more complexity. The approach we have used maps the visual notation of data modelling on to XML so it means something to data modellers."

ER/Studio 7.5 also includes features to build XML schemas from logical or physical data models so data modellers can use the same standards in SOA development as those used to build traditional databases. It also has a data model conversion utility to import metadata from other modelling tools, BI platforms, ETL platforms, and industry-standard exchange formats. ®