Link Clauses

A link clause is a required component of a link rule defined in the Link Rules (SP) application. You use the Link Rules (SP) application in the Reconciliation module to define a relation (or link) between a top-level object in Data Set 1 and an object in Data Set 2. For more information about data sets, see Reconciliation Module Data Sets. Each link clause identifies an object and attribute of a top-level object in Data Set 1 to link to a specific attribute of an object in Data Set 2 when the system executes a reconciliation task. The Link Rules (SP) application lists link clauses in the Link Clauses table window on the Link Rule tab.

The following table describes the elements of a link clause:

 

Field

Function

Rules/Requirements

Sequence

Number that specifies the order in which to process the clause.

Mandatory.

Use a unique number for each clause.

Use a number greater than 0.

The default is increments of ten in ascending order.

Open Parenthesis  ( ...

Marks the beginning of a set of clauses grouped together so that the system can perform operations on them in a specific order.

Optional. However, for each open parenthesis, use a corresponding close parenthesis.

Data Set 1 Object

Specifies the target object in Data Set 1.

Mandatory.

Selected from a value list that includes the following values:

For assets:

  • ASSET (Asset)

  • ASSETSPEC (Asset Specification)

For configuration items (CIs):

  • CI (Configuration Item)

  • CISPEC (CI Specification)

Data Set 1 Class Structure

When you select a specification as the Data Set 1 object, this field identifies a specific class structure for reconciliation.

Mandatory if you select ASSETSPEC or CISPEC for the object.

Selected from a value list. Values in the list are class structure identifiers for the top-level objects.

Data Set 1 Class Structure Description

Displays a description of the selected class structure.

Read-only field.

Data Set 1 Classification

Displays the classification for the selected class structure.

Read-only field.

Data Set 1 Attribute

Identifies the specific attribute of the object or class structure to link.

For assets and deployed assets, the attribute is typically a serial number or asset tag. For CIs and actual CIs, it is typically ACTCINUM, the actual CI number.

Mandatory.

Selected from a value list. Values in the list depend on the value selected in the Data Set 1 Object field.

Data Set 1 Attribute Title

Displays the title of the Data Set 1 object attribute.

Read-only field.

Operator

Identifies the type of link between Data Set 1 and Data Set 2.

The equals ( = ) operator is read-only; it cannot be changed.

Data Set 2 Object

Identifies the target object in Data Set 2.

Selected from a value list that includes the following values:

For assets:

  • DEPLOYEDASSET

For configuration items (CIs) :

  • ACTCI (Actual CI)

  • ACTCISPEC (Actual CI Specification)

Data Set 2 Class Structure

When you select a specification as the Data Set 2 object, this field identifies a specific class structure for reconciliation.

Mandatory if you select ACTCISPEC.

Selected from a value list. Values in the list are class structure identifiers for the top-level objects.

Data Set 2 Class Structure Description

 

Displays a description of the selected class structure.

Read-only field.

Data Set 2 Classification

Displays the classification for the selected class structure.

Read-only field.

Data Set 2 Attribute

Identifies the specific attribute in Data Set 2 to link.

For assets and deployed assets, the attribute is typically a serial number or asset tag. For CIs and actual CIs, it is typically ACTCINUM, the actual CI number.

Mandatory.

Selected from a value list. Values in the list depend on the value selected in the Data Set 1 Object field.

Data Set 2 Attribute Title

Displays the title of the Data Set 2 attribute selected.

Read-only field.

Close Parenthesis ... )

Marks the end of a set of clauses grouped together so that the system can perform operations on them in a specific order.

Optional. However, for each close parenthesis, use a corresponding open parenthesis.

Sequence Operator

When more than one link clause exists, this operator prescribes how the current clause relates to the next clause in the sequence.

Required if a link rule consists of more than one clause.

Must be empty for the last row in the sequence (that is, the row with the highest sequence number).

Selected from a value list that includes the following values:

  • AND

  • OR

See Also

Link Rules (SP) application

Link Rule Requirements