Editing Data Model

Various types of editing tasks can be carried out on a data model using the CES Data Modeler. The editing types are:  

Online and Offline Editing

Online editing helps you to work on an active database and commit changes to the database.

Offline editing does not require an active database connection and involves:

  • Working with a data model in a separate CES data model file. This file is saved with an extension .xml (xml files) or .xar (xml archive format files).

  • Selecting a data model, copying and pasting the hierarchy to a new data model, saving the data model, and exporting the data model.

Basic Editing

Basic editing in the CES Data Modeler involves several features, namely:

Editing Class Label

You can edit the class label in the CES class hierarchy.

This task explains how to edit the class label:

  1. Log on to the CES Administration Desktop application.

    The CES Administration Desktop window appears.

  2. In the Solutions pad, select Administration Desktop.

    The Applications pad is expanded.

  3. In the Applications pad, select Data Modeler.

    The Browser View window appears.

  4. Select the class to be renamed.

  5. From the menu bar, select Edit > Rename or right-click the selected class, and in the contextual menu select Rename.

  6. Type a new label name for the class.

  7. Press Enter or click outside the label.

    This class is highlighted and marked for committing to the database.

Duplicating Class

You can create a duplicate of a class and save it in the data model.

This task explains how to duplicate a class:

  1. Log on to the CES Administration Desktop application.

    The CES Administration Desktop window appears.

  2. In the Solutions pad, select Administration Desktop.

    The Applications pad is expanded.

  3. In the Applications pad, select Data Modeler.

    The Browser View window appears.

  4. Select the class to be renamed.

  5. From the menu bar, select Edit > Duplicate or right-click the selected class, and in the contextual menu select Duplicate.

A copy of the class is created in the Browser View.

Adding Data Model Element

You can add classes, pointers, properties and custom functions in the Table View. You can also add range valid value or enumerated valid values for a property. Adding a data model element involves one or more of the following:

Adding Subclass or Folder Class

You can add a Subclass or a Folder Class.

This task explains how to add a Subclass or Folder Class:

  1. Log on to the CES Administration Desktop application.

    The CES Administration Desktop window appears.

  2. In the Solutions pad, select Administration Desktop.

    The Applications pad is expanded.

  3. In the Applications pad, select Data Modeler.

    The Browser View window appears.

  4. From the menu bar, select Create > Subclass.

    OR

    In the Browser View, right-click, and then in the contextual menu, select Create > Subclass.

    The CES Data Modeler inserts a new subclass with a blank label under the selected class folder.

  5. Enter a name for the Subclass. The subclass is highlighted for committing to the database.

Follow the procedures explained in steps 1 through 5 to create a Folder Class. Instead of selecting Subclass, select Folder Class.

Adding Class Property

You can add class properties to the selected class.

This task explains how to add a new property:

  1. Log on to the CES Administration Desktop application.

    The CES Administration Desktop window appears.

  2. In the Solutions pad, select Administration Desktop.

    The Applications pad is expanded.

  3. In the Applications pad, select Data Modeler.

    The Browser View window appears.

  4. In the Browser View, select the class, and then double-click.

    The Table View window for the selected class appears.

  5. In the Table View window, click the button Create Property (s) . The Create Property (s) button is located in the upper right corner of the Table View window.

    The Insert Properties dialog box appears.

Do not insert a large number of properties, as the CES Administration Desktop might crash owing to insufficient memory.

  1. In the Insert Properties dialog box, select the property type to be inserted. The property type can either be String or Number.

  2. In the Number of Properties field, enter the number of properties to be inserted.

  3. Click OK.

    The inserted class properties are displayed in the
    Table View window.

    The CES Data Modeler displays the default values for the new property. If required, edit the property values. The new property is highlighted, and marked for committing to the database.

Adding Pointer Class Property

You can add Pointer Class properties to the selected class.

This task explains how to add Pointer Class Properties:

  1. Log on to the CES Administration Desktop application.

    The CES Administration Desktop window appears.

  2. In the Solutions pad, select Administration Desktop.

    The Applications pad is expanded.

  3. In the Applications pad, select Data Modeler.

    The Browser View window appears.

  4. In the Browser View, select the subclass to which you need to add a pointer class property, and then double-click. The Table View window for the selected subclass appears.

  5. In the Table View window, select the Pointers tab.

  6. In the Pointers tab, select a row, and then double-click a property cell value.

  7. Specify the required pointer class property information in the cell.

  8. For the column Valid Object Class > Class Label,

  • Double-click the cell value, and then click the Values button . The contextual menu appears. The Values button is located inside the cell.

  • In the contextual menu, select Edit Valid Class.

    The Pointer Valid Class dialog box appears.

  1. In the Pointed Valid Class dialog box, select the required class, and then click OK.

    The Pointer Valid class appears in the Valid Object Class > Class Label column of the Table View window. The new pointer class property is highlighted, and marked for committing to the database.

Adding Note for Selected Class

You can add notes to the selected class.

This task explains how to add notes to the selected class:

  1. Log on to the CES Administration Desktop application.

    The CES Administration Desktop window appears.

  2. In the Solutions pad, select Administration Desktop.

    The Applications pad is expanded.

  3. In the Applications pad, select Data Modeler.

    The Browser View window appears.

  4. In the Browser View, select the subclass to which you need to add notes, and then double-click. The Table View window for the selected subclass appears.

  5. In the Table View window, select the Notes tab.

  6. In the Notes tab, select a row, and then double-click a property cell value.

  7. Specify the required notes information in the cell.

  8. For the column Type  >  Notes Type Name:

  • Double-click the cell value, and then click the Values button . The contextual menu appears. The Values button is located inside the cell.

  • In the contextual menu, select Item Selector. The Item Selector window appears.

  1. In the Item Selector window, select the required notes type, and then click OK.

    The selected notes type and notes type description are displayed in the Table View window. The note is highlighted and marked for committing to the database.

Adding Custom Function to Selected Class

You can add custom functions to the selected class.

This task explains how to add custom functions to the selected class:

  1. Log on to the CES Administration Desktop application.

    The CES Administration Desktop window appears.

  2. In the Solutions pad, select Administration Desktop.

    The Applications pad is expanded.

  3. In the Applications pad, select Data Modeler.

    The Browser View window appears.

  4. In the Browser View, select the subclass to which you need to add JAVA Custom function , and then double-click. The Table View window for the selected subclass appears.

  5. In the Table View window, select the Custom Function tab.

  1. In the Custom Function tab, select a row, and then double-click a property cell value.

  2. Enter a name for the custom function.

  3. Press Enter or click outside the name displayed.  The CES Data Modeler displays the data model information of the custom function inserted.

  4. Specify the property values in the default fields.

    The hierarchy to which the custom function belongs is highlighted and marked for committing to the database.

Adding Edit JAVA Custom Function

You can add a JAVA custom function to the selected class.

This task explains how to add JAVA custom function to the selected class:

  1. Log on to the CES Administration Desktop application.

    The CES Administration Desktop window appears.

  2. In the Solutions pad, select Administration Desktop.

    The Applications pad is expanded.

  3. In the Applications pad, select Data Modeler.

    The Browser View window appears.

  4. In the Browser View, select the subclass to which you need to add JAVA Custom function , and then double-click.

    The Table View window for the selected subclass appears.

  5. In the Table View window, select the Custom Function tab.

  6. In the Custom Function tab, select a row, and then double-click a property cell value.

  7. Enter a name for the custom function.

  8. Press Enter or click outside the name displayed. 

    The CES Data Modeler displays the data model information of the custom function inserted.

  9. Specify the property values in the default fields.

    The hierarchy to which the custom function belongs is highlighted and marked for committing to the database.

Adding Enumerated Valid Values for Class Property

You can add enumerated Valid Values for a class property.

This task explains how to add Enumerated Valid Values to the selected class:

  1. Log on to the CES Administration Desktop application.

    The CES Administration Desktop window appears.

  2. In the Solutions pad, select Administration Desktop.

    The Applications pad is expanded.

  3. In the Applications pad, select Data Modeler.

    The Browser View window appears.

  4. In the Browser View, select the subclass to which you need to add class property, and then double-click.

    The Table View window for the selected subclass appears.

  5. In the Table View window, select the Properties tab.

  6. In the Properties tab, select a row header to select the property. The selected row is highlighted.

  7. Click the Values button . The Values button is located in the upper right corner of the Table View window.

    The contextual menu appears.

  8. In the contextual menu, select Create Evv(s).

    The Enumerated Valid Values window appears.

  9. In the Enumerated Valid Values window, enter a label for the EVV.

  10. Press Enter or click outside the label.

    The CES Data Modeler displays the default values for the valid value properties.

  11. Edit the property values, if required.

    The hierarchy to which the new valid value belongs is highlighted, and marked for committing to the database

Adding Range Valid Values for Class Property

You can add Range Valid Values for a class property.

This task explains how to add Range Valid Values to the selected class:

  1. Log on to the CES Administration Desktop application.

    The CES Administration Desktop window appears.

  2. In the Solutions pad, select Administration Desktop.

    The Applications pad is expanded.

  3. In the Applications pad, select Data Modeler.

    The Browser View window appears.

  4. In the Browser View, select the subclass to which you need to add class property, and then double-click.

    The Table View window for the selected subclass appears.

  5. In the Table View window, select the Properties tab.

  6. In the Properties tab, select a row header to select the property.

    The selected row is highlighted.

  7. Click the Values button . The Values button is located in the upper right corner of the Table View window.

    The contextual menu appears.

  8. In the contextual menu, select Create Rvv.

    The Range Valid Value dialog box appears.

  9. Enter the minimum and maximum valid values for the RVV in the respective fields.  For example, enter a minimum value of 10 and a maximum value of 100.

  10. Press OK.

    You are reverted to the Table View window.

  11. In the Table View window, press Enter or click outside the label.

    The CES Data Modeler fills in the default values for the new valid value. You can edit the property values, if required.  

Committing to Database

After each edit operation, the CES Data Modeler highlights all the data model elements affected by an operation in the Table View window. The highlighted data model elements signifies that they are marked for committing. The changes are stored in the database to which you are connected. You need to explicitly commit the action at the end of each edit operation or after you connect to the database.

This task explains how to commit the edit task to the database:

  1. From the menu bar, select Model > Commit.

    OR

  2. In the toolbar, click the Commit to the Database button .

    OR

  3. In the Table View window, click the Save CES Data Model button . The Save CES Data Model button is located in the upper right corner of the Table View window.

    OR

  4. In the Browser View, select the class, and then right-click.

    The contextual menu appears.

  5. In the contextual menu, select Commit.

    The CES Data Modeler displays the status window, which displays the commit action that is being performed.

While committing, the CES Data Modeler records the errors, if any, and displays the errors in the Output window.

If you fail to commit, the changes made are lost, and the CES Data Modeler will not reflect these changes when you reconnect to the database.

Reverting Changes

You can revert changes made to the data model, since the previous commit operation. The revert changes rolls back the changes, and reverts the data model to its original state.

This task explains how to revert changes made in the data model:

  1. From the menu bar, select Model > Revert Changes.

    OR

  2. In the Browser View, select the class, and then right-click.

    The contextual menu appears.

    The changes made to the data model since the previous commit operation are reverted.

Deleting Data Model Element

You can delete any data model element from the CES class hierarchy. There are two methods by which the data model elements can be deleted. The deleting methods are:

Deleting by Marking in Browser View

You can mark a class to be deleted and commit changes to the database.

This task explains how to delete a data model element in the Browser View:

  1. In the Browser View window, select the class to be deleted.

  2. From the menu bar, select Edit > Mark for Delete.

    OR

  3. On the toolbar, click the Mark for Delete button

    OR

  4. Right-click the selected class, and then from the contextual menu select Mark for Delete.

    The data model element is highlighted, and marked for deletion.

  5. From the menu bar, select Model > Commit to delete the highlighted data model element from the database.

If you mark a parent class for deletion, all elements under the parent class, for example, subclasses, pointers, and custom functions are also marked for deletion.

Direct Deleting

You can also delete a class directly from the database.

This task explains how to directly delete a class in the Browser View:

  1. In the Browser View window, select the class to be deleted.

  2. From the menu bar, select Edit > Delete.

    OR

  3. On the toolbar, click the Delete button

    OR

  4. Right-click the selected class, and from the contextual menu select Delete.

You are prompted to confirm the deletion.

  1. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.

    The selected class is deleted.

Unmarking Data Model Element

You can restore only those data model elements are marked for deletion.

This task explains how unmark the element, which is selected for deletion:

  1. In the Browser View, select the class to be restored.

  2. From the menu bar, select Edit > Undelete Cascade.

    OR

  3. Right-click the selected class to undelete.

    The contextual menu appears.

  4. In the contextual menu, select Undelete Cascade.

    The class marked for deletion is restored.

If a parent class is marked for deletion, its child class cannot be restored.

Modifying Data Model Element

You can modify a data model element after it is created.

This task explains how to modify a data model element:

  1. In the Browser View window, select the class containing the data model element to be modified.

  2. To edit the element for the selected class, do one of the following:

  • From the menu bar, select Edit > Edit Elements.

  • In the Browser View toolbar, click the Edit Elements button .

  • In the Browser View window, select the class to modify, and then right-click.

    The contextual menu appears.

  • In the contextual menu, select Edit Element(s).

The properties of the data model element are displayed in the Properties tab of the Table View window.

  1. Modify the properties as required.

    The modified data model element is highlighted and marked for committing to the database.

Converting Normal Class Properties

You can convert a class property which is:

Converting Non-primary Key Value to Primary Key Value

You can convert a class property which is a non-primary key value to a primary key value.

This task explains how to covert a normal class property to a primary key value:

  1. In the Properties tab of the Table View window, click the row header to select a class property that is not already defined as a primary key.

A class property with a primary key appears in the Table View with a key symbol in the row header.

  1. Select the Values button.

    The contextual menu appears.

  2. In the contextual menu, select Make Primary Key.

    The selected class property is marked as a primary key.

The Make Primary Key selection is valid for the entire row in the Table View.

Converting Primary Key Value to Non-primary Key Value

You can convert a class property which is a primary key value to a non-primary key value.

This task explains how to covert a normal class property to a non-primary key value:

  1. In the Properties tab of the Table View window, click the row header to select a class property that is not already defined as a primary key.

A class property with a primary key appears in the Table View with a key symbol in the row header.

  1. Select the Values button.

    The contextual menu appears.

  2. In the contextual menu, select Make Normal Data.

    The selected class property is marked as a non-primary key.

Advanced Editing

You can use advanced editing features to edit multiple data model elements in a class in the class hierarchy. Advanced editing in the CES Data Modeler involves several features, namely:

Basic Tasks

The basic tasks in advanced editing comprise the most commonly used tasks. These are:

Viewing Multiple Properties

You can view multiple class properties simultaneously in the Table View window.

This task explains how to view multiple class properties:

  1. Log on to the CES Administration Desktop application.

    The CES Administration Desktop window appears.

  2. In the Solutions pad, select Administration Desktop.

    The Applications pad is expanded.

  3. In the Applications pad, select Data Modeler.

    The Browser View window appears.

  4. In the Browser View window, select the class, and then click the Edit Element(s) button .

    The Table View window for the selected class appears.

  5. In the Table View window, click the required tab to view multiple objects.

You can transpose data model elements in the Table View. By default, the details for the selected class are displayed horizontally. Using the Transpose View, you can view the details for the selected class vertically.

Resizing Columns and Rows

You can manually adjust the rows and columns in the Table View window.

This task explains how to manually adjust rows and columns in the Table View window:

  1. Log on to the CES Administration Desktop application.

    The CES Administration Desktop window appears.

  2. In the Solutions pad, select Administration Desktop.

    The Applications pad is expanded.

  3. In the Applications pad, select Data Modeler.

    The Browser View window appears.

  4. In the Browser View window, select the class, and then click the Edit Element(s) button .

    The Table View window for the selected class appears.

  5. Point to the bottom border in the row header area. The pointer shape is changed to . Drag to adjust the height.

  6. Point to the right border in the column header area. The pointer shape is changed to . Drag to adjust the width.

Typing Text

You can type and modify the text in a given cell in the Table View window. You can also use the Delete and Backspace keys to delete the text. You can use mouse to mark the whole or part of the text to select, and then press the Delete or Backspace keys to replace the text.

Copying and Pasting

You can copy and paste a value from one cell to another.

This task explains how to copy and paste a value from one cell to another:

  1. Select the cell contents you want to copy, and then From the menu bar, select Edit > Copy.

  2. Click the cell in which you wish to paste the contents.

  3. From the menu bar, select Edit > Paste.

    The contents are copied.

Copying Hierarchy

You can copy and paste a class hierarchy from one data model file to another data model file. You can also copy and paste a class hierarchy from the database to a file and vice-versa.

This task explains how to copy and paste the hierarchy:

  1. Open two data model files.

  2. Select the hierarchy you need to copy from a data model file.

  3. From the menu bar, select Edit > Copy Hierarchy.

  4. Click the data model file in which you need to paste the hierarchy.

  5. From the menu bar, select Edit > Paste. Expand the class tree to view the copies hierarchy.

Adding Multiple Elements

You can add multiple elements to the database. Adding multiple elements constitute adding multiple pointer properties and multiple custom functions. For more information about adding multiple elements, see:

Adding Multiple Pointer Properties

You can add multiple pointer properties.

This task explains how to add multiple pointer properties:

  1. In the Browser View, double-click a class to view its properties in the Property Details tab.

  2. Click the Properties tab to add multiple properties.

  3. Enter the new property details.

    The new properties are highlighted and marked for commit to the database.

Adding Multiple Custom Functions

You can add multiple custom functions.

This task explains how to add multiple custom functions:

  1. In the Browser View, double-click a class to view its properties in the Property Details tab.

  2. In the Property Details tab, click the custom Function tab to add multiple custom functions.

  3. Enter the new custom function details.

    The new data model elements are highlighted and marked for commit to the database.

Deleting Multiple Elements

You can delete multiple data model elements.

This task explains how to delete multiple data model elements:

  1. Select the multiple data model elements, by clicking on the row headers, and then dragging the pointer over the elements to be deleted.

  2. To delete data  model elements by marking;

  • Select Edit > Mark for Delete or on the toolbar, click the button Mark for Delete to mark the data model elements for deletion.

  • In the browser View, select Model > Commit to delete the marked data model elements from the database.

  1. To delete data model elements directly:

  • Select Edit > Delete or on the toolbar, click the button Delete. You are prompted for confirmation.

  • Click Yes.

    The selected data model elements are deleted.

If you mark a main class for deletion, all elements under main class, for example, subclasses, pointers, and properties are also marked for deletion.

Reorganizing Class Hierarchy by Drag and Drop

You might need to reorganize or change the display order of data model elements in the CES class hierarchy.

This task explains how to drag and drop a data model elements:

  1. Select the model element to be moved to a new location.

  2. Drag the data model element to the target area.

    The data model element that you have moved is marked for deletion from the original position in the class hierarchy. It is recommended that you commit the changes by selecting Model > Commit at the original and new positions of the data model element.

    Note: If the dragged data model element is a class, then the class is not marked for deletion.

    When dragging the data model element,

  • The cursor changes to a folder icon while you drag the selected data model element to its new position.

  • The cursor changes to a No Parking symbol if you cannot drag and drop the data model element to the new position.

  1. Drop the icon in the new position.

    The data model element along with its properties move to the new position. The target class to which the new class is dragged and dropped becomes the new parent class in the database, after committing changes to the database.