Design and Manage JDataStore Databases Visually with DbSchema

DbSchema lets you design, manage, and document JDataStore databases. Create ER diagrams, define tables and columns, and generate SQL scripts - with or without a live database connection.

Use Git to share the design, compare it with the JDataStore database, and deploy changes. DbSchema also includes a data editor, query builder, and HTML5 documentation - everything you need in one tool.

DbSchema Database Designer

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Visual Schema Tools for Legacy Borland JDataStore Applications

JDataStore is a compact Java database engine originally developed by Borland and later maintained as part of the CodeGear toolchain. It was embedded in Delphi for .NET and JBuilder applications as a lightweight local data store, and its .jds files remain in use in legacy enterprise and desktop applications that have not yet been migrated. DbSchema connects to JDataStore via its JDBC driver, surfaces the table schemas visually, and provides documentation tools for teams that need to understand or migrate these older databases.

Open JDataStore Files and Inspect the Schema

DbSchema connects to a JDataStore file using the Borland JDBC driver and reads the table definitions into the diagram canvas. Column names, data types, and constraints appear in the visual schema without requiring the original JBuilder or Delphi development environment to be installed.

Opening a JDataStore .jds file in DbSchema and displaying the schema diagram

Run SQL Queries Against JDataStore

JDataStore exposes a JDBC interface that supports standard SQL. DbSchema's SQL editor lets you write and execute SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DDL statements against a JDataStore file — useful for extracting data for migration or diagnosing application-level query issues without the original IDE.

SQL editor executing a query against a JDataStore database file in DbSchema

Document the JDataStore Schema for Migration Planning

For legacy applications where the JDataStore schema has never been formally documented, DbSchema's documentation generator produces an HTML report covering all tables, column types, and relationships. This documentation supports migration planning to modern databases such as PostgreSQL or SQL Server.

Schema documentation report generated from a JDataStore database in DbSchema

Connecting DbSchema to JDataStore

Use the JDBC URL jdbc:borland:dslocal:/path/to/file.jds to connect to a local JDataStore file. The driver class is com.borland.datastore.jdbc.DataStoreDriver. Locate dsjdbc.jar in the original JDataStore installation directory and register it in DbSchema's driver manager. The driver ships as part of the JDataStore runtime, which is available in archived Borland and CodeGear product distributions — the driver version must match the JDataStore file format version of the target .jds file.

Why DbSchema for JDataStore

  • Open .jds files and inspect table schemas without Borland or CodeGear tools.
  • Run SQL queries to extract data for migration to a modern relational database.
  • Generate schema documentation as a prerequisite for legacy application audits.
  • Compare JDataStore schemas across application versions to identify structural changes.
  • Design the target migration schema in DbSchema alongside the JDataStore source model.