Use the SQL explorer, but if you want to get used to Interbase or other RDBMS, you must have some basic knowledge of sql, else you must stick to ms access. There are some tools like SILVERRUN but to use these applications you need to study Database philosophy, normalization and some other weird stuff. Good for your general knowledge, but if you want put your hands in the dirt, dive into the pdf information supplied with interbase.

S. van Els
SAvanEls@cq-link.sr

Well.. Im not sure how useful these are as I have not used them much myself - but here are a couple of addressess you may find useful :

Delphi/Interbase Web
http://sdiclub.tms.ru/

OpenSource Data Utility

http://www.zeoslib.org/zeos_zia_main.php

I took a quick look at SILVERRUN mentioned by svanels but they want your adctual postal address to send d/l instructions to! With all the spam out there already - I dont think I will be forwarding these details . from what I can see from the few screen shots though - looks like it goes into ER (Entity Relationship) diagrams  and all sorts - too much perhaps ?

One option is to perhaps knock some quick tables up in Access  - just so you can print out Relationship model (and use some of the other informational feedback wizards that ship with it.) This may help in the early stages when thinking about initial design.

I think svanels is right though, perhaps better to get used to the way Interbase works by default. I myself am just starting to develop in Interbase also (comming from an Access background) and so am facing the same issues.

One thing is useful (IMHO) is to save DDL statements (in SQL form) so these can be re-run at a later date in necessary. This - along with the Meta-data information means I can re-construct the database at any point in the future.

Anyway, hope those links help

Cheers..

Hi, I fond a really helpful program called "Marathon". It's made especially for InterBase und released under the "Mozilla Public License". You can get it at SourceForge: http://sourceforge.net/projects/gmarathon/.

Hope to help you

Hello... I always use a smal applik. called Modulator if I want script for Interbase (SQL), its looking like putting up ER-diagram in Access, if I want more complex script with triggers and proc. I use a applik. called NIAM-suiten... its ORM-modeling. Smal but powerful tools
you can find more about it her:
Modulator: http://www.metodedata.no
NIAM: http://www.it-integrator.no/