workbench-en.a4

Chapter 16. Forward Engineering
It is possible to forward engineer a database using an SQL script or by connecting to a live database. Forward engineering to a live
database is available for commercial versions of MySQL Workbench only.
16.1. Forward Engineering Using SQL Scripts
To create a script of your database model use the EXPORT option found under the FILE menu. You may export a script to alter an
existing database or create a new database. The script to create a database is similar to the one created using the mysqldump
db_name command.
If you choose to create a database, there are a number of export options that you may choose from.
16.1.1. Creating a Schema
The SQL export options are as follows:
• Generate DROP statements (except DROP DATABASE)
• Generate separate CREATE INDEX statements
• Generate SHOW WARNINGS after every DDL statement
• Do not create users, just export privileges
• Generate INSERT statements for tables
Choosing the option Generate separate CREATE INDEX statements creates separate statements for index creation instead
of creating indexes as part of a CREATE TABLE statement. To update the privileges of existing users as opposed to creating
new users, select the Do not create users, just export privileges check box. Exporting privileges for nonexistent
users will result in errors when you execute the CREATE script. Exporting users that already exist, will also result in an error.
If you have added any records to a table using the INSERT tab of the MySQL Table Editor, choose the Generate INSERT
statements for tables option. For more information about inserting records see Section 7.3.9, “The Inserts Tab”.
Use the OUTPUT OPTIONS frame to set the name of your script file. The NEXT button is disabled until a script file name is supplied.
Clicking NEXT takes you to the SQL EXPORT FILTER window where you can select the objects you wish to export. For a description
of this window see Section 15.2, “Reverse Engineering a Live Database (Commercial Version)”.
The FINISH button saves the script file and exits. You may return to the previous screen using the BACK button.
Use the saved script to create a database.
16.1.2. Altering a Schema
The menu option for altering a schema, FORWARD ENGINEER ALTER SCRIPT ..., is used for updating a database that has been redesigned
within MySQL Workbench. Typically, this option is used when the SQL script of a database has been imported into
MySQL Workbench and changed. For instructions on importing a DDL script see Section 15.1, “Reverse Engineering Using a Create
Script”.
Choose this menu option and on the first screen, SQL SYNC OPTIONS, you are asked to supply an input file. In most cases this will
be the file that you imported into MySQL Workbench using the REVERSE ENGINEER MYSQL CREATE SCRIPT menu option found
under the FILE, IMPORT options. In any case, this file should represent the state of the re-engineered database prior to alteration.
The differences between the original database and the altered database are displayed on the next screen, the SQL DIFF TREE window.
To view the details, click the + button to the left of the model database.
Pressing NEXT brings you to the SQL SCRIPT screen. Here you can review and change the ALTER script that will be generated.
Make any changes you wish and, if you are happy with the changes, save the ALTER script to file using the SAVE TO FILE ... button.
Use the saved script to update the database.
16.2. Forward Engineering to a Live Server (Commercial Version)
61