The P7 – Physical Data Model of NAF v4 is a diagram that enables you to model the tables, columns, and constraints of a physical data model.
The columns of each table are formed from Data Elements in the underlying data dictionary. You can use the Tables and the Data Elements in all other models of NAF – for example, specifying the Tables and Columns that a physical Resource such as Software, reads or alters in the Resource Function on the P4 – Resource Functions: Flow viewpoint.
You must specify the Database you are modeling when you create the P7 – Physical Data Model. From that point forward, all available types in the model – such as Column Types – are specific to that database.
Schema Generation and Reverse Engineering
You can:
•Map a Physical Data Model to schema by selecting Tools > DB Schema Generation.
•Reverse engineer a database into a Physical Data Model by selecting Tools > DB Reverse Engineering.
•Selectively map a Physical Data Model to another Physical Data Model, or to/from a Database by selecting Tools > DB Synchronize.
