Which MIME types are related to file extension ".erwin"?
The .erwin file extension is associated with 1 MIME types:
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .erwin Files
ERWIN files are binary files created by the ERwin Data Modeler. They store database models with detailed entity-relationship diagrams and metadata.
Their MIME type is application/octet-stream, indicating a generic binary format commonly used for structured data.
These files are used primarily for designing and visualizing database architectures. They hold key design elements like tables, relationships, and constraints.
Software such as ERwin Data Modeler opens, edits, and views these files. Other compatible data modeling tools may offer limited support for importing or exporting the information.
- Data Modeling: Save logical and physical representations of databases.
- Database Design: Visualize relationships and constraints between data entities.
- Metadata Storage: Store definitions for tables, columns, keys, etc.
- Collaboration: Share standardized models among development teams.
Relationship between file extension and MIME type
A file extension is a suffix at the end of a filename that indicates what type of file it is. File extensions help both users and operating systems identify what application should be used to open the file.
File extensions are typically separated from the filename by a period (dot) and consist of 2-4 characters, though they can be longer. For example, in the filename "document.pdf", ".pdf" is the file extension.
File extensions are closely related to MIME types, as they both serve to identify the format of a file. However, while MIME types are used primarily by web browsers and servers, file extensions are used by operating systems and applications.
Associated MIME types
FAQs
What is an .erwin file?
An .erwin file is a database model created by erwin Data Modeler (formerly CA ERwin). It stores entity-relationship diagrams (ERDs), logical and physical database designs, and metadata used by database architects to visualize and plan database structures.
How do I open an .erwin file?
You need to install erwin Data Modeler to open, view, and edit these files natively. While some other database tools like Toad Data Modeler may offer import capabilities for ERwin files, the original software ensures the most accurate representation of the diagram.
Can I convert an .erwin file to SQL scripts?
Yes, this process is known as Forward Engineering. Within the erwin Data Modeler software, you can generate DDL (Data Definition Language) SQL scripts from your model to create the actual database schema on servers like Oracle, SQL Server, or MySQL.
Why can't I read this file in a text editor?
Most .erwin files use a proprietary binary format, which appears as garbled characters in text editors like Notepad. Because they are not plain text, you must use specific modeling software to interpret the binary data structure.
How do I share an .erwin model with someone who doesn't have the software?
You can export the diagram as an image (JPEG, PNG) or a PDF document using the Report or Print features in erwin Data Modeler. This allows stakeholders to view the visual database design without needing a license for the modeling tool.
What is the MIME type for .erwin files?
These files generally use the generic MIME type application/octet-stream. This indicates to the operating system and web servers that the file contains arbitrary binary data that requires a specific application to open.
General FAQ
What is a MIME type?
A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.
MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.
MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.
How do I find the MIME type for a file?
You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.
Why can one extension have multiple MIME types?
Different programs and historical usage may assign various MIME identifiers to the same file format. Listing them together helps maintain compatibility across tools.