Master DBeaver: Install, Connect, and Generate ER Diagrams Quickly

Introduction

When creating the "SQL Intro Tutorial", we discovered DBeaver, a powerful, free, open‑source universal database management and development tool built on Java and released under the ASL license. It can be downloaded from the official website or GitHub.

Because DBeaver is Java‑based, it runs on Windows, Linux, macOS and other operating systems. Developed with the Eclipse framework, it supports plug‑ins and offers many features such as ER diagrams, data import/export, database comparison, mock data generation, and more.

Through JDBC, DBeaver can connect to almost any database product, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, SQLite, Oracle, Db2, SQL Server, Sybase, MS Access, Teradata, Firebird, Derby, etc. The commercial version also supports NoSQL and big‑data platforms like MongoDB, InfluxDB, Apache Cassandra, Redis, and Apache Hive.

Download and Installation

The Community edition can be downloaded from the official site or GitHub, offering installers or zip packages for each OS, with an optional bundled JRE. The website also provides a DBeaver Eclipse plug‑in for integration.

DBeaver supports Chinese; installation is straightforward, but it requires a JRE. After installation, running dbeaver.exe on Windows 10 shows the main interface (image).

The initial window prompts to create a sample database. Choosing "Yes" creates a default SQLite sample database, and the main window appears (image).

DBeaver’s layout resembles familiar software: a top menu bar, a left pane with database connections and projects, and a right pane for the main work area.

Connecting to a Database

After launching DBeaver, create a new database connection via the menu Database → New Connection , which opens the connection wizard.

For example, to connect to PostgreSQL, select the PostgreSQL icon and click "Next".

Enter the host, port, database name, user, and password. Advanced settings allow configuring SSH, SSL, proxies, and naming the connection (development, testing, production).

Click "Test Connection" to verify the settings; DBeaver will automatically download the required JDBC driver if it is missing.

After a successful test, confirm to finish the configuration; the new connection appears in the left navigation pane.

For databases whose drivers require manual download (e.g., Oracle, Db2), use Database → Driver Manager to add the driver file manually.

Select Oracle, click "Edit", then download the JDBC driver (e.g., ojdbc8.jar) and add it via "Add File".

Once added, future Oracle connections will use this driver automatically.

After establishing a connection, you can browse objects, edit data, and execute SQL statements.

Generating ER Diagrams

To create an ER diagram, click the "Project" view next to the database navigator on the left.

In the view, locate "ER Diagrams" and right‑click to select "Create New ER Diagram".

Enter a name, choose the database connection and the objects to display, then click "Finish" to generate the diagram.

The ER diagram can be arranged, customized, and exported as an image. DBeaver currently does not support creating ER diagrams from scratch; they must be generated from existing database schemas.

For further details, refer to the DBeaver user guide.