Data Modeler: Overview
What is the Data Modeler and how can it be used?
The Data Modeler is a development tool from the ABAP Development Workbench, which you can use to create data models in accordance with the SAP SERM method (SERM = Structured Entity Relationship Model). In addition to supporting modeling functions, the Data Modeler allows you to map the models you have created to the ABAP Dictionary.
Owing to the close integration of the Data Modeler with the ABAP Dictionary, both top-down and bottom-up modeling approaches are possible.
The basic objects of the Data Modeler are data models and entity types, and the relationships and specializations existing between the entity types.
The problem to be modeled - generally a small section of the real or abstract world - is mapped to a data model.
The individual (physical or abstract) objects of the section to be modeled are represented by entity types that are connected by relationships.
A data model of a university is to be created. It could be given the name Unimodel, for example. To begin with, we will consider just a small part of the model, the professors and students at the university. We define two entity types Professors and Students and a relationship between the two entity types, which we will label Teaches.
In the Data Modeler you can create data models with any number of hierarchy levels and in the process reuse parts of data models. They can be expanded and compressed in a hierarchy list and also in the graphical display. This simplifies working with models, and particularly with large models.
You can model using both a graphical editor and screens. With the graphical editor, you can now create data models in the same way as on a drawing board.
Other subjects:
Specializations/Generalizations
Structural Concept: Data Model and Data Model Hierarchy
Top-Down and Bottom-Up Modeling
Integration of the Data Modeler with the Business Navigator and the Business Object Repository