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Lesson 1.1: Familiarize yourself with the asset types

In this lesson, you look at common asset types and evaluate the differences between them. Learn to recognize the various types of descriptors of an asset and identify some of the common asset types in a repository.
Attention: Before you begin this tutorial, ask your repository administrator to import the Sample Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Model (in the Rational Asset Manager web client, Administration > Tools > Libraries > Import SOA Model Library > Enable) and to add you as a user of the Sample Application Development community with the roles of Asset Producer.

In Rational® Asset Manager, users can apply many different types of metadata to assets to make the assets easy to find. The following table shows the primary searchable elements of an asset. Before you submit a new asset, consider the importance of using strong, original naming and descriptive words. For example, define a few tags that are related to your current work that can help users quickly evaluate how your asset is used in its original context.

Consider the following diagram of the different parts of an asset. Users can perform a variety of searches by using keywords or filters to find assets in the repository. To find assets, users can search all of the metadata areas that are listed. Knowing the searched areas can help you provide rich data for each element as you describe your asset during the submit process. Note that users search the following areas of an asset.

Diagram illustrates the major types of descriptive and searchable elements in an asset.

One of the most important asset classifiers is the asset type. Repository administrators create custom asset types to accommodate the variety of assets that the business units in a company need. Asset types group similar assets by content and reuse content. An asset type also defines any specific requirements for the assets being submitted as that type.

The following chart lists the primary asset types that are included with the sample SOA model and the differences between them. As you classify your assets, you will see how each type of asset contains artifacts of different MIME types. Design or model asset types contain design documents or spread sheets, whereas implementation assets contain code or entire plug-in solutions. Use this chart for reference when you submit assets; it will help you assign the correct asset type when you describe your asset.

Asset type Description
Business Case A business case captures the reasoning for initiating a project or task. Business cases can be comprehensive and highly structured, as required by formal project management methodologies, or informal and brief.
Business Solution An asset of this type represents a project, application, or business solution or capability. Assets of this type typically contain a charter, which details the mission, goals, scope, project structure, terminology, roles, users, infrastructure, and so on.
Common Component A reusable component that is developed internally
Design Design assets can include design documents, strategy presentations, reports, and visual design elements. Use these to design or plan software.
Documentation This type of asset contains tutorial materials, demo scripts, guides, white papers, and so on.
DoU (Document of Understanding) A document of understanding between a provider and consumer
Implementation Implementation assets can include code, training materials, and process guidance documents. This type of assets are the realization of an application, or execution of a plan, idea, model, design, specification, standard, algorithm, or policy.
Open Source Software Open source software (OSS) is software for which the source code and certain other rights that are normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that meets the Open Source Definition or that is in the public domain. This permits people to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified forms.
Release The logical representation of a release, which can be further categorized to represent a service, process, or application release. A release is a business asset that relates to specific implementations, designs, business processes, requirements, quality certification, documents of understanding, and so on.
Specification An explicit set of requirements that are to be satisfied by a material, product, or service.
Test plan A test plan is a systematic approach to testing a system, such as software or a computer. A test plan typically contains a detailed explanation of the workflow and desired results of the test.

Continue with the tutorial to create a new asset in the Eclipse client and categorize the asset using the sample schemas that are provided.

Remember: You must have an active connection to a Rational Asset Manager repository. If you do not have an active connection, see the topic: Creating a connection to a Rational Asset Manager repository.

Lesson checkpoint

You evaluated and learned the primary searchable parts of an asset and the major differences among asset types.
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