Dbdiagram.io offers a simple, web-based tool for database design and modeling. It uses a text-based syntax to define tables and relationships, making it easy to version control diagrams alongside application code. The platform supports various database engines and generates SQL for implementing the designed schema. It provides a clean and visual representation of the database structure, facilitating collaboration and understanding.
DrawDB is a free and open-source online database diagram editor with a retro aesthetic. It allows users to visually design database schemas, supporting various database systems like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite. The tool features a simple, intuitive interface for creating tables, defining columns with data types and constraints, and establishing relationships between them. Exported diagrams can be saved as SVG or PNG images. The project is actively maintained and welcomes contributions.
Hacker News users generally praised DrawDB's simplicity and retro aesthetic. Several appreciated the clean UI and ease of use, comparing it favorably to more complex, bloated alternatives. Some suggested desired features like dark mode, entity relationship diagrams, and export options beyond PNG. The developer actively engaged with commenters, addressing questions and acknowledging feature requests, indicating a responsiveness appreciated by the community. A few users expressed nostalgia for simpler diagramming tools of the past, while others highlighted the potential for DrawDB in quick prototyping and documentation. There was also discussion around self-hosting options and the underlying technology used.
Obsidian-textgrams is a plugin that allows users to create and embed ASCII diagrams directly within their Obsidian notes. It leverages code blocks and a custom renderer to display the diagrams, offering features like syntax highlighting and the ability to store diagram source code within the note itself. This provides a convenient way to visualize information using simple text-based graphics within the Obsidian environment, eliminating the need for external image files or complex drawing tools.
HN users generally expressed interest in the Obsidian Textgrams plugin, praising its lightweight approach compared to alternatives like Excalidraw or Mermaid. Some suggested improvements, including the ability to embed rendered diagrams as images for compatibility with other Markdown editors, and better text alignment within shapes. One commenter highlighted the usefulness for quickly mocking up system designs or diagrams, while another appreciated its simplicity for note-taking. The discussion also touched upon alternative tools like PlantUML and Graphviz, but the consensus leaned towards appreciating Textgrams' minimalist and fast rendering capabilities within Obsidian. A few users expressed interest in seeing support for more complex shapes and connections.
Summary of Comments ( 49 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43808803
Hacker News users generally praised dbdiagram.io for its simplicity and ease of use, particularly for quickly sketching out database designs. Several commenters appreciated the clean UI and the speed at which they could create and modify diagrams. Some compared it favorably to other tools like draw.io and PlantUML, highlighting its focus on database-specific design. A few users mentioned potential improvements, like adding support for more complex features and different database systems. Others pointed out the limitations of the free tier and expressed concerns about vendor lock-in with a proprietary format. One commenter suggested integrating with existing SQL workflows, while another mentioned using it successfully for small projects.
The Hacker News post discussing dbdiagram.io has several comments, mostly positive about the tool.
Many users praise the simplicity and ease of use of dbdiagram.io. They appreciate the clean interface and how quickly they can create and modify database diagrams. The text-based approach using a custom DSL is highlighted as a major advantage, allowing for easy version control with Git and collaborative editing. Several commenters compare it favorably to other database modeling tools, mentioning that dbdiagram.io feels less clunky and more efficient for certain tasks. The speed and responsiveness of the application are also frequently mentioned as positive aspects.
Some users express concerns and suggest improvements. One commenter mentions wishing for an integrated way to generate SQL from the diagrams, a feature that appears to be requested by several others, while acknowledging the existence of a command-line tool for this purpose. Another user points out the potential limitations of the free tier for larger projects, while also appreciating that it's sufficient for many use cases. The lack of support for certain database features or dialects is mentioned as a potential drawback for some users, indicating that while widely applicable, dbdiagram.io may not cover every possible edge case. There is a suggestion to add support for more complex relationships beyond the standard ones.
A few users share their personal experiences and workflows using dbdiagram.io. They discuss using it for quick prototyping, sharing diagrams with colleagues, and even integrating it into their development process. One commenter mentions using it in conjunction with other tools to create a more comprehensive workflow.
Overall, the sentiment towards dbdiagram.io in the comments is very positive, with many users praising its simplicity and speed. While some limitations and desired features are pointed out, the general consensus seems to be that it is a valuable tool for database modeling.