Getting Started with DBeaver: Installation, Database Connection, and ER Diagram Generation

DBeaver is a free, open‑source, Java‑based universal database management and development tool released under the ASL license, available for download from its official website or GitHub.

Built on the Eclipse framework, DBeaver runs on Windows, Linux, macOS and supports plugins; it offers many utilities such as ER diagrams, data import/export, database comparison, and mock data generation.

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

Download and Installation

The DBeaver Community Edition can be downloaded from the official site or GitHub, offering installers or zip packages for each OS and an optional bundled JRE. An Eclipse plugin is also available for integration.

DBeaver supports Chinese; after installation, run dbeaver.exe (Windows 10) to see the main interface, which first prompts to create a sample database.

Choosing “No” skips the sample; the main window shows menu items, a left‑hand navigation pane for connections, and a central work area.

Connecting to Databases

To create a connection, select Database → New Connection . Using PostgreSQL as an example, choose the PostgreSQL icon and click “Next”.

Enter host, port, database name, user, and password; advanced settings allow SSH, SSL, proxy, and naming of the connection (development, testing, production).

Click “Test Connection” to verify settings; DBeaver will automatically download the required JDBC driver if needed. After a successful test, confirm to finish the connection setup.

For databases whose drivers require manual download (e.g., Oracle, Db2), open Database → Driver Manager , edit the driver, and add the downloaded ojdbc8.jar file.

Once configured, the new connection appears in the left navigation pane, enabling object browsing, SQL execution, and other management tasks.

Generating ER Diagrams

Open the “Project” view next to the database navigator, locate the “ER Diagrams” node, right‑click and select “Create New ER Diagram”.

Provide a name, choose the connection and objects to include, then click “Finish” to generate the diagram, which can be arranged, displayed, and exported as an image.

Extended Links

Official website: https://dbeaver.io/

GitHub repository: https://github.com/dbeaver/dbeaver/

User guide: https://github.com/dbeaver/dbeaver/wiki