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Data Dictionary Modeler

Use the Data Dictionary Modeler to build data dictionary classes for each table in your workspace's database.

The Data Dictionary Modeler models all of the major features of the DataDictionary class, allowing you to create 'concrete' data dictionary sub-classes for each table. These concrete classes define the data entry rules, behavior, and appearance of a table's data. For a full discussion of DataFlex data dictionaries, refer to the Data Dictionary Guide.

Data Dictionary Modeler provides productivity benefits and allows you to model each table's data dictionary by thinking about its desired behavior and features rather than thinking about source code and syntax.

The behavior that you define for a data dictionary is written out as source code in a data dictionary class package. Data Dictionary Modeler provides two-way source modeling. This means that you can use the Modeler and the Code Editor to operate on the data dictionary code simultaneously. Changes in one view of the file are reflected in the other and vice versa.

By default, DataDictionary class (.dd) files opened in the Studio are opened in the Data Dictionary Modeler. You can toggle between the Modeler and source code using F7*.

Abstract vs. Concrete Data Dictionary Classes

An abstract data dictionary class is one that does not have a Main_File setting that binds the data dictionary to a particular table. A concrete class, on the other hand, is one that is bound to a particular table.

Data Dictionary Modeler only models concrete data dictionary classes. Only the first data dictionary class in a data dictionary file can be modeled.

Data Entry

Class Name

Edit this value to change the name assigned to the data dictionary class in the class declaration statement.

Superclass

This shows the data dictionary class's superclass name. This is assigned when the data dictionary is created; you cannot edit this value in the Data Dictionary Modeler.

Table

This shows the name of the table that the data dictionary class is bound to. This is assigned when the data dictionary is created; you cannot edit this value in the Data Dictionary Modeler.

Column Properties

The Columns tab allows you to assign individual properties to each column in the table.

Validation Objects

The Validation Objects tab allows you to create, delete, and modify validation objects for the data dictionary. Validation objects maintain 'pick lists' of column domain values. These can be used to assist data entry for the column and to validate the column values to be saved.

Structures

The Structures tab models the following:

  • The structure of tables relating to this data dictionary's table and related to by this data dictionary's table (required child & parent tables).
  • The set of tables outside this structure that are updated by events of this data dictionary (external tables).
  • Data dictionary properties of the parent tables' columns when they are referenced as "foreign fields" (i.e., foreign field options).

Problems

The Problems tab lists any syntax errors that were detected during the Data Dictionary Modeler's analysis of the source code.

Data Dictionary Events

Data dictionary events are modeled in the Events tab of the Properties Panel. These events allow you to customize the main data dictionary processes such as finding, clearing, saving, or deleting data.

For more information, refer to Defining Data Dictionary Events.

Other Attributes

All public properties of the Data Dictionary class can be edited in the properties grid of the Properties Panel. This includes properties that are not directly modeled by the Data Dictionary Modeler interface.

See Also