Exercise 3: Viewing the domain model reference in the Design project properties

Before you begin, you must complete Exercise 2: Importing the required resources .

In this exercise, you will view the reference to the sample domain model (Domain Model.ddm) in the Design project properties. When you add domain model references in data design project properties, the domain types are available to select when you create logical or physical data models in this project. In this case, the domain model is also stored in the project, but you could also reference domain models that are stored in other projects. Cross referencing between projects allows team members to reference the same domain model in multiple projects.

To view the domain model reference in the Design project properties:

  1. Select the Design project in the Data Project Explorer.
  2. In the Properties view, click the Domain References tab.

    You should see /Design/Domain Model.ddm in the Domain Model Files list. You could optionally add more domain references to the project properties by clicking Add and browsing to other domain model files.

    Screen capture showing the domain model in the Design project Properties view, as described.

    Because this domain references is specified, you can select atomic domains that are in this domain model when you create new logical or physical data model objects in this project. You can view the domain model objects that are available in the Properties view.

  3. In the Data Project Explorer, expand the HR.ldm node and the DEPT entity node.
  4. Select the DEPT_NAME attribute object, and click the Type tab in the Properties view.
  5. Open the Data Type list and notice that the list of available data types includes the atomic domains that are in the Domain Model.ddm file.

Now you are ready to begin Exercise 4: Transforming the logical data model to a physical data model.