Copyright: Repository Mgmt Online Help - V9.0.2.90.7  Copyright © 1995, 2002, Oracle Corporation  All Rights Reserved


About Oracle Repository

Oracle Repository consists of a store, and a set of management tools, for all the meta data of an enterprise. The business benefits of Oracle Repository stem from its carefully managed approach to the consolidation and sharing of meta data across the enterprise.

Benefits of Oracle Repository

Here's how Oracle Repository delivers the benefits that users want.

Robust and scalable

Being based on Oracle8 technology, Oracle Repository is secure, robust, and scalable from an individual desktop to the entire enterprise. A secure and scalable architecture is essential to protect and distribute the repository contents, as the meta data will most likely be used by many people all over the enterprise. Poor system performance, or lack of system availability, would reduce or even eliminate the value that can be gained from using the repository.

Open and extensible

An open and extensible repository design is important for repository users who want to become familiar with, understand and, if necessary, extend the information that the repository contains. Oracle Repository provides a published Application Programming Interface (API) - a set of views and packages that enable developers to write programs or design tools to interact directly with the repository contents. The API is also fully extensible - users can define their own types of objects, properties and associations in addition to the large set provided as standard with Oracle Repository.

Easily manageable

The ability to manage the contents of the repository easily is also important. Individual items of meta data are known as repository objects (for example, the definition of a particular table that is to be used by a database application). Oracle Repository enables a user to work on an individual repository object in a secure area known as a workarea.

Oracle Repository includes further utilities that provide version control for objects, as well as the ability to branch and merge different version paths when working on individual objects.

When objects are ready for use in building an application, specific configurations of objects can be constructed, defining the precise version of each individual object to be used in the build.

Flexible teamwork support

Provision for different working methods is necessary to support the ways in which the different types of repository user need to work. Analysts trying to understand an organization will need to share their ideas and identify common concepts at the earliest opportunity. Application developers may need to work in private, integrating their efforts with those of their colleagues only when confident that their own work is complete. Oracle Repository enables large teams of developers to work efficiently in parallel on developing complex, component-based applications, keeping track of all changes through the object versioning mechanism.

Rich information model

A rich information model is required for the repository to store and manage the diverse meta data used across the enterprise. Centralizing the meta data in Oracle Repository means that shared information assets and application dependencies can be easily identified. The resulting view of the enterprise is a valuable corporate asset. You can create many different standard types of object, and you can define your own object types if required. Each object type defines the characteristics of all objects of that type.

Rich tools support

Oracle Repository makes it possible to integrate various kinds of tools that can interact with the repository contents.

The tightest integration is achieved with the use of API-based tools. Oracle Repository includes a set of PL/SQL interfaces, based on Oracle's proprietary extensions to the SQL language.

For file-based tools such as text editors or word processors, Oracle Repository enables individual files or complete file systems to be stored and managed in the repository. As a result, the repository services can be applied to all application objects, meta data definitions, source definitions and implementation objects.


Requerying elements

Related Topics

In a multi-user environment where data is shared between many users, certain situations can arise that result in the data displayed becoming out of date with the latest information in the repository. For example, the contents of the tool can inadvertently be changed if it contains elements owned by another user and that user deletes, renames or changes those elements.

For example, user A is working on Diagram 1 which contains table EMP. Table EMP is also included on Diagram 2, currently opened by User B. User A deletes table EMP, which is removed from Diagram 1. User A then removes table EMP from the repository. User B's diagram is now out of date and should be requeried.

User B is unaware that table EMP has been removed from the repository until User B tries to change the properties of table EMP. User B is informed that table EMP no longer exists and can requery the diagram.

To preserve the integrity of data, checks are automatically carried out against the repository each time you attempt to change an object. For example, if an object has been changed by another user, you are informed that the displayed data is out of date and you must requery the repository before you make further changes to the object.

While you are working, repository elements can be requeried:

•	individually

•	all at the same time

Note: 	If you are using the broadcast mechanism facility, changes are automatically highlighted within the tool.

To requery individual objects:

1.	Select one or more objects to be requeried.

Note:	If the broadcast notification service is being used, the out-of-date repository objects can easily be recognized by the display of the broadcast indicators [image]. Click [image] to requery the object's details.

2.	Choose Edit→Requery Selection.

To requery all objects displayed in the active window:

•	Choose Edit→Requery All.


About the broadcast mechanism

Related Topics

The broadcast mechanism allows repository users to be notified of changes to repository objects made in other tools or by other users as soon as those changes are made. If repository objects that are currently displayed in one tool are changed in another tool, or by another user on another machine, a broadcast notification indicator is displayed so that the out-of-date objects can be updated to reflect the changes.

Example 1 - A simple case

A single instance of the Repository Object Navigator and a single instance of another tool are active on the same computer. Both tools are connected to the same repository instance. In the Repository Object Navigator, the user deletes a column that is also represented on a diagram and in the Navigator of the other tool. Broadcast indicators [image] are displayed in the other tool on the parent instance (i.e., the table) on the diagram, and on the child instance (i.e., the actual column) in the Navigator.

Example 2 - Differentiating between repositories

Two instances of the Repository Object Navigator, and a single instance of another tool, are active on the same computer. One of the Repository Object Navigator instances and the other tool are connected to the same repository instance. The second Repository Object Navigator is connected to a different repository instance. The user deletes a table from the repository using the other tool. The broadcast indicator [image] is displayed in the Repository Object Navigator that is connected to the same repository instance as the other tool. The other Repository Object Navigator is not affected by this element deletion.

Note:	To use the broadcast server mechanism over the network, you must first configure the broadcast server for a network notification service. You must use the Repository Administration Utility to configure the broadcast server.

When and where will broadcast notification indicators appear?

•	On creation of children (elements and associations), indicators are displayed in the Navigators (Repository Object Navigator and other tools) on the parent repository object type. For example, when a new column is created, a broadcast indicator is displayed on the Table Definition node in the Navigator.

•	On deleting or updating of children (elements and associations), indicators are displayed in the Navigators on the child node and not the corresponding parent node. For example, if the column EMPNAME was deleted from the table EMP, an indicator is displayed on the EMPNAME node in the Navigator(s).

•	On check in, check out or refresh of repository objects in a shared workarea. For example, where user A and User B are sharing a workarea, they will each be notified of changes made by the other user.

•	In the Matrix Diagrammer, indicators are displayed on the axis and intersections.

•	On diagrams, indicators are displayed only on instances of primary access controlled element types (e.g., the table EMP).

Setting the broadcast notification levels

The following broadcast notification levels can be set by a user:

•	Network. Any changes made on the same machine or other machines (i.e., across the network) will be broadcasted to all users participating in the network broadcasting mechanism.

•	Desktop, the default setting. Changes made on the same machine will be broadcasted to all tools running on that user’s machine.

•	Disabled. This level turns off the broadcasting mechanism, i.e., the user does not receive (or send) notification messages.

Note:	If you decide to disable the broadcast mechanism but would like to see (e.g., at the end of your working session) the latest information in the repository for the currently displayed objects, use the requerying elements facility, or refresh the workarea.

See Setting the broadcast options for more information.


Setting the broadcast options

Related Topics

Any repository object updates made on the same machine (i.e., the same desktop) or other machines (i.e., across the network) can be broadcasted to users as soon as those changes are made. Only users participating in the broadcast mechanism at network level will be notified of changes made by other users.

Note:	Setting this option applies to the user on the computer, not to individual tools. For example, on the same machine you cannot have the broadcast mechanism disabled in one tool and have this option set to network in the Repository Object Navigator. Also, you cannot decline to receive notification messages but still be able to send them.

To set the broadcast notification options:

1.	Choose Options→Broadcast Options.

2.	Select one of the following broadcast notification levels:

•	Disable - turn the broadcast notification service off

•	Desktop - broadcast changes to this machine only

•	Network - broadcast changes to this machine and all other users' machines participating in this broadcast


Force deleting repository objects

If you want to remove a non-versioned repository object PAC or a SAC element and override any blocking constraints defined for the corresponding object type, use Force Delete. About

To force delete an object you must have DELETE access rights to the workarea and the owning container, and the FORCE repository privilege.

To force delete repository objects:

1.	In the Navigator, select the objects to be force deleted.

2.	Choose Utilities→Force Delete.

The Force Delete Wizard is displayed with path and element type details of the selected objects.

3.	Follow the instructions provided by the wizard.


Force purging repository objects

If you want to remove an object version from the current workarea and override any blocking constraints defined for the object type, use Force Purge. About

To perform a force purge operation, you must have DELETE access rights to the appropriate workarea and container, and have the FORCE and PURGE repository privileges.

To force purge repository objects:

1. 	In the Navigator, select the objects to be force purged.

2.	If an object displays a [image] icon, check it in. How

3.	Choose Utilities→Force Purge (or Force Delete, if only this is displayed).

The Force Purge Wizard is displayed with path and element type details of the selected object versions.

4.	Follow the instructions provided by the wizard.


Deleting repository objects

You can delete a non-versioned object, or a checked-in versioned object. To be able to delete an object you must have the DELETE access right to the workarea and the owning container. You cannot delete a checked-out object.

Deleting a non-versioned object places it in the wastebasket, from where it can subsequently be removed from the repository or restored to the workarea.

Deleting a versioned object simply removes that object version from the current version of its owning container. The object version is retained in any previous versions of its container, but is no longer visible either in the current workarea or in any workareas that use subsequent versions of the container.

Note:	There are several other methods of removing objects, such as Force Delete, Purge and Force Purge. About

You cannot use the Delete method to delete an object that is referenced in other containers; you must either delete all the references first, or use the Force Delete method.

To delete a repository object:

1.	In the Navigator, locate the objects you want to delete.

2.	If an object displays a [image] icon, check it in. How

3.	Select the objects in the Navigator window. How

4.	Click [image].

5.	In the Confirm Delete dialog box, click Delete.

6.	(Optional)  If you want to remove the objects from the repository completely, empty the wastebasket using the Repository Object Navigator. Note that doing so also removes any other objects in the wastebasket.

Alternatively, you can use the Repository Object Navigator to restore the objects from the wastebasket.


Resequencing elements

Allows you to change the order in which elements are ordered and displayed in the Navigator. For example, you can resequence columns in a table definition.

To resequence an element, select it from the list box and click the appropriate sequence button.

To resequence an element:

1.	In the Navigator, select the element you want to resequence.

2.	Choose Utilities→Resequence.

3.	Select the element from the list and move it to the new position.

4.	Click OK.


Copying elements

Related Topics

You can copy one or more elements of repository objects to the same or a different container within the same workarea. There are two types of copy:  simple copy, using a copy-and-paste technique to copy a single object in the Navigator window, or extended copy using a wizard to copy one or more objects. With extended copy you can optionally choose to copy elements that are referenced by the copied elements, or to remap their references.

You can copy PAC elements, SAC elements, or PAC elements together with their SAC elements.

To copy a repository element (simple copy):

1.	In the Navigator window, select the element you want to copy.

2.	Choose Edit→Copy (or press CTRL+C).

3.	(Optional)  Select a different container as the destination.

4.	Choose Edit→Paste (or press CTRL+V).

If you see the Copy dialog box:

•	select Deep Copy if you want to copy SAC elements as well as the PAC element for an object

•	select Auto Checkout if you want to check out the destination container (if copying a PAC element) or object (if copying a SAC element)

•	select Copy Dependencies if you want to copy any dependency information for the object that has been created by the Dependency Manager tool

•	select Don’t Show This Dialog Again if you want your check box selections to apply every time you perform a simple copy

To copy a repository element (extended copy):

1. 	(Optional)  In the Navigator window, select the objects you want to copy.

2. 	Choose Utilities→Extended Copy.

3. 	Follow the on-screen instructions in the Extended Copy Wizard. Online help is available for each screen of the wizard.


Filtering the contents of a list box

If a filter control is displayed on a dialog box, you can use the control to filter the contents of a list box on that dialog box. The filter control is comprised of a filter field that identifies the search string for which matches are to be found, and a filter button that activates the filter.

To filter the contents of a list box:

1.	Enter the condition that is to filter entries from the list box.

For example:

•	To list all elements ending in "EN", type "%EN".

•	To list all elements beginning with "EN", type "EN%".

•	To list all elements containing the letters "EN", type "%EN%".

The wildcard character (%) is used to represent any character, string of characters or no characters. Use the underscore character (_) to represent any single character.

For example, to list all elements beginning with "EN" whose fourth character is "S", type "EN_S%".

2.	Click [image] (Filter button).


Redefining workareas

After you have created a workarea, you can redefine various of its characteristics, provided that you have the necessary access rights to do so.

You can redefine the properties (name and description), the default checkin branch (where possible) and the specification (the rules and configurations by which the workarea is populated).

To redefine a workarea:

1.	In the Navigator window, select the name of the workarea you want to redefine.

2.	Choose Edit→Edit Workarea.

3.	Follow the on-screen prompts in the workarea wizard.

4.	Click Finish to complete the redefinition.


Refreshing workareas

Refreshing a workarea redisplays the workarea contents according to the current workarea specification. As a result, objects may be added to, updated in, or removed from, the set of objects visible in the workarea. Refreshing a workarea also resolves potential version conflicts for objects in the workarea.

If you refresh a shared workarea that is owned by another user and in which you have included a container or one of its objects to which you have access, you will not see that container or object unless the workarea owner is also granted access to the container.

Note:	If refreshing a workarea would cause checked-out or non-versioned objects to be lost or orphaned (for example if their container has been excluded from the workarea), an error message is displayed.

You can preview the effect of refreshing without actually performing the operation.

To refresh a workarea:

1.	Choose Edit→Refresh Workarea.

Note:	If you are using the Repository Object Navigator and more than one workarea is visible, select the workarea that you want to refresh.

2.	(Optional)  To see the effect of refreshing the workarea before you perform the operation, select Preview Changes Before Refreshing. You can choose to see the effect simply on the repository, or (if the repository contains uploaded files) the effect on both the repository and the file system.

3.	(Optional) To synchronize the repository and the file system when you refresh the workarea, select Synchronize.

4.	If you chose to preview the changes in step 3, do the following when the Preview Changes dialog box is displayed:

a.	Choose Changes in Repository or Changes in Repository and File System as required.

b.	Click the tabs on the dialog box as required, to show objects as follows:

New - objects that will be added to the workarea when it is refreshed

Changed - objects that will be updated in the workarea when it is refreshed

Removed - objects that will be deleted from the workarea when it is refreshed

c.	Click Refresh to refresh the workarea, or Cancel to abandon the operation.


 Printing

Related Topics

To preview the print job as it will appear when printed:

•	Choose File→Print Preview.

−	To navigate through the pages, choose either the Next Page button or the Prev Page button as appropriate.

−	To specify whether one or two pages are previewed at once, choose the One Page/Two Page button.

−	To increase or decrease the view of the printed pages, choose the Zoom In or Zoom Out button, as appropriate.

−	To print, choose the Print button.

−	To close the Print Preview window and return to the main tool window, choose the Close button.

To specify the range of pages to be printed:

1.	Choose File→Print.

2.	Do one of the following:

−	To print all pages, click the All option button.

−	To print out a range of pages, enter the page numbers in the From and To fields associated with the Pages option button.

To specify the print quality used for printing:

1.	Choose File→Print.

2.	Choose the required print quality from the Print Quality drop-down list. The higher the number the better the print quality.

To specify the number of copies that you want to print:

1.	Choose File→Print.

2.	Specify the number of copies you want to print in the Copies field.

To print a print job to a file:

1.	Choose File→Print.

2.	Check the Print to File check box.

3.	Enter the name and location of the file to which you want to print the print job.


 Changing the print setup

Related Topics

Note:	To set some of the more advanced document printing options, select the Options button to display the Options dialog box.

To select the printer:

1.	Choose File→Print Setup.

2.	Choose the Default Printer option button to print to the default printer.

Note:	You can change the default printer and connect to other printers using Print Manager.

To specify the page orientation:

1.	Choose File→Print Setup.

2.	Choose the required option button from the Orientation group. The image of the page will change accordingly in the orientation group.

Note:	The page orientation used for the print jobs can be changed at any time. Changing the page orientation automatically refreshes the display to reflect the new orientation as well as changing the orientation setting on the printer. The page orientation can be set to either landscape or portrait.

To specify the page size used for the print job:

1.	Choose File→Print Setup.

2.	Choose the required page size from the Size drop-down list.

Note:	The page size used can be changed at any time. Changing the page size automatically refreshes the display to reflect the new size as well as changing the paper-size setting on the printer.

To specify the paper source:

1.	Choose File→Print Setup.

2.	Choose the required paper source from the Source drop-down list.

Note:	A number of different paper sources for the currently connected printer may be available, such as Upper Cassette, Lower Cassette, Envelope Feeder, Manual Feed or Auto Select.

If you have any problems changing the print setup, please refer to your System Administrator.


 Adding page numbers, titles and boundaries to diagram print jobs

Related Topics

To print a page number at the bottom of each page of a diagram print job:

1.	Choose File→Print.

2.	Check the Page Numbers check box.

To print the diagram title at the top of each page of a diagram print job:

1.	Choose File→Print.

2.	Check the Page Title check box.

Note:	The page title is specified in the Title field of the Summary Information dialog box.

To print the page boundaries on a diagram print job:

1.	Choose File→Print.

2.	Check the Page Boundaries check box.


Changing the database connection

Related Topics

To change the database connection:

1.	Choose File→Change Connection.

2.	Specify a username and password.

3.	Specify a connect string for the Oracle database to which you want to connect.

For any unsaved changes, a message box is displayed asking you whether or not you want to save the changes.

Note:	If you are using one of the diagramming tools, and you currently have diagrams open, these diagrams will be closed.

After successful connection to a database, this option displays the Workarea dialog box, enabling you to choose the workarea.

4.	Select the name of the required workarea and click OK.

If you have any problems trying to connect to a database, please refer to your System Administrator.


Changing the workarea

Related Topics

If you have access to more than one workarea, you can switch between the different workareas, without leaving the tool. If you have the repository management Workarea privilege you may create a new workarea.

To change the workarea:

1.	Choose File→Change Workarea.

2.	Do one of the following:

•	Select the name of the required workarea from the list and click OK.

•	Click New to create a new workarea.


Closing diagrams

To close a diagram:

•	Choose File→Close.

If the active diagram is named and contains any unsaved changes, this option displays an alert box asking you whether or not you want to save the changes. Click Yes to save the changes and close the diagram.

If the active diagram is untitled, this option displays an alert box asking you whether or not you want to save the untitled diagram. Click Yes to display the Save Diagram As dialog box enabling you to name and save the diagram before closing it.


Getting diagram information

To get information about the diagram:

1.	Choose File→Summary Information.

Note:	The database connection and the current workarea cannot be changed from the Summary Information dialog box, but can be changed using File→Change Connection and File→Change Workarea.

2.	If required, enter the title for the diagram and the name of the author of the diagram.

3.	Check the appropriate check boxes to determine which of the fields are displayed on the diagram.


Showing or hiding the toolbar

To determine whether or not the standard toolbar is displayed below the menu bar, choose View→Toolbar.


 Showing or hiding the status bar

The status bar displays,  for example:

•	a brief description of what the currently selected menu option does.

•	an indication of whether the Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock functions are enabled.

To determine whether or not the status bar is displayed at the bottom of the application window, choose View→Status Bar.


 Showing or hiding the tool palette

To determine whether or not the tool palette is displayed, choose View→Tool Palette.


 Organizing windows

If you have more than one window open, you can rearrange them on the screen using the Window menu options.

To arrange the open windows in an overlapping pattern:

•	Choose Window→Cascade .

To fit all the windows into the application window:

•	Choose Window→Tile Horizontally, or Window→Tile Vertically.

To tidy up the icons of any windows you have minimized:

•	Choose Window→Arrange Icons.


 Displaying open windows

You can display a window that is open but not currently visible on the screen, e.g., when it is obscured by other windows. When you select such a window for display, that window becomes the active window.

To display an open window:

•	Choose Window→<1,2,3...window name>.


 Obtaining version information about the current tool

To obtain version information about the current tool:

•	Choose Help→About.


 Accessing the online documentation system

The online documentation system that you are using provides help information about the current application. You can display this information by means of the following:

•	Help menu

•	toolbar help button or the dialog box help button

•	F1 key

Help menu

The Help menu provides access to the following kinds of help information:

•	Help→Help Topics displays a list of the main subject areas in the online documentation system. Note, a full-text search facility is available via the Find tab of the Help Topics dialog box.

•	Help→How to Use Help displays general information about using Microsoft Windows help.

•	Help→About displays version and copyright information about this tool

 Context-sensitive help toolbar or dialog button

The last button in the standard toolbar provides access to context-sensitive help information about the menu options and toolbar buttons for this tool.

The help button located at the top-right of the dialog box provides access to context-sensitive help information about individual fields on the dialog box. Field-level help is available only on the more complex dialog boxes

Selecting the context-sensitive help button and then selecting a menu option, toolbar button or an individual field on a dialog box displays the help topic for the chosen item. (Similarly, selecting a menu option, toolbar button or an individual field on a dialog box and pressing F1 displays context-sensitive help.)

Dialog box help button

You can obtain specific information for a dialog box by selecting the Help button on the dialog box itself. The resulting help window tells you what the dialog box does, and provides information about each individual field. You can scroll through the field help to see what each field does.

F1 key

Pressing F1 while a diagram window is active displays help information about the modeler/diagrammer.

Pressing F1 while a dialog box is active displays the help information for that dialog box.


 Using the TextPad

You can use the TextPad to enter text in the same way as you would in the Windows Notepad facility.

Opening the TextPad

Including a text file

Saving the current text as a text file

Cutting, copying and pasting text

Finding a specified text string

Replacing occurrences of a specified text string

Attaching text to the property

Printing a TextPad


 Opening the TextPad

Related Topics

You can use the TextPad to attach text to a multi-line text property.

To open the TextPad:

1.	In the Navigator, select the object that has the property to which you want to attach the text. If the property is a multi-line text property, the [image] icon is displayed next to the property name.

2.	In the Property Palette, do one of the following:

•	Click the [image] icon

•	Double-click the property name

•	Click the property value field, then click the [image] button in the Property Palette toolbar


 Adding multi-line text with the TextPad

Related Topics

Some properties in the Property Palette can consist of only a single line of text, while others can have more than one line. The latter type are known as multi-line text properties, and are indicated in the Property Palette with a [image] symbol.

You can use the TextPad (as well as other editors) to add text to a multi-line text property.

To use the TextPad to add multi-line text:

1.	Open the TextPad.

2.	Enter text using the TextPad. How

3.	Attach text to the property. How


 Including text files

Related Topics

You can include text from an existing file in the TextPad. The TextPad supports ASCII text only, so you cannot include word processor files (e.g., .DOC files).

To include the text of an existing file in the TextPad:

1.	Move the cursor to the point where you want to include the text file.

2.	Choose File→Include File.

3.	In the Open dialog box, specify the text file that you want.


Saving the current text as a text file

Related Topics

When using the TextPad you can save text to a file.

To save the text shown in the TextPad as a text file:

1.	Choose File→Write to File.

2.	In the Save As dialog box, specify the name and location of your file.


 Cutting, copying and pasting text

Related Topics

To remove text and place it on the Clipboard:

1.	Select the text you want to remove.

2.	Choose Edit→Cut.

To place a copy of text on the Clipboard:

1.	Select the text you want to copy.

2.	Choose Edit→Copy.

To delete text without placing it on the Clipboard:

1.	Select the text you want to delete.

2.	Choose Edit→Clear.

To paste the Clipboard contents:

1.	Move the cursor to the position at which you want the Clipboard contents to be inserted.

2.	Choose Edit→Paste.

You can repeat the paste operation as many times as you want.

Note:	You can paste text from text files in Wordpad and other text editors or word processors.


 Finding a specified text string

Related Topics

You can search for every occurrence of a specified text string in the TextPad. You decide the direction of the search and whether it is case-sensitive.

To find a specified text string:

1.	Position the cursor where you want the search to start.

2.	Choose Edit→Find.

3.	In the Find dialog box, type the text for which you want to search.

Note:	The text in the Find What field defaults to the current selection, if any, in the TextPad.

4.	(Optional)  Click the Up or Down button to select the direction of the search (default is Down).

5.	(Optional)  If you want a case-sensitive search, select the Match Case check box.

6.	Click Find Next.

7.	(Optional)  Repeat step 6 until you find the text you want.


 Replacing occurrences of a specified text string

Related Topics

You can search for and replace occurrences of a specified text string with a different text string. You decide whether the replace is case-sensitive and whether you want a global or a discretionary replace operation.

To replace instances of a given text string:

1.	Position the cursor where you want the replacement to start.

2.	Choose Edit→Replace.

3.	In the Replace dialog box, type the text that is to be replaced in the Find What field.

Note:	The text in the Find What field defaults to the current selection, if any, in the TextPad.

4.	Type the new text in the Replace With field.

5.	(Optional)  If you want a case-sensitive replace, select the Match Case check box.

6.	(Optional)  If you do not want to replace all instances of the specified text:

a.	Click the Find Next button to find the next instance of the specified text.

b.	Click Replace if you want to replace the text.

c.	Repeat steps a. and b. as desired.

7.	(Optional)  If you want to replace all instances of the specified text, click Replace All.


Attaching text to the property
 Attaching text to a property

Related Topics

To attach the text in the TextPad to the multi-line text property:

Do one of the following:

•	Click [image] to attach the text and leave the TextPad open.

•	Choose File→Close to attach the text and close the TextPad.

To close the TextPad without attaching the current text:

•	Click [image]. The TextPad is closed and any unsaved changes made to the text are lost.


 Printing a TextPad

Related Topics

To print the contents of the TextPad:

1.	(Optional)  Change the print setup. How

2.	With the TextPad window selected, choose File→Print.

3.	In the Print dialog box, specify the range of pages to be printed.

4.	Specify the number of copies and whether or not you want the copies to be collated.

5.	If you want to change details of the destination printer, click the Properties button.


Using the Property Palette

Properties of repository objects are viewed and edited in the Property Palette.

About the Property Palette

The Property Palette

Displaying properties

Opening a new Property Palette

Displaying the properties of objects

Displaying the properties of a set of objects

Displaying the properties of an object while selecting another (pinning the palette)

Expanding and collapsing properties in the Property Palette

Viewing summary information of a property

Navigating to and from a referenced object using the Property Palette

Changing properties

Changing the properties of an object

Changing the properties of a set of objects

Saving property changes in the repository

Entering values for text properties

Specifying text editors for text properties

Returning properties to their original settings

Undoing the last action in the Property Palette

Copying and pasting properties of an object

Navigating the Property Palette

Using shortcut keys to work with the Property Palette


The Property Palette

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The Property Palette enables you to view and edit the properties of objects in the Navigator. There can be any number of Property Palettes open simultaneously.

Note:	Changes in the Property Palette are not immediately stored in the repository. Such changes are saved when you close the Property Palette, select another object or choose the Save button or menu option.

When you select an element in the Navigator, the Property Palette displays the property values for that element.

The Property Palette consists of a toolbar, and a list of property types and their values. When you select a property value in this table, you can edit the property value directly. With multi-line text properties (indicated by [image]), you use the TextPad.

Some property values are selectable from a list of values screen, indicated by a [image] icon when you select the value field. You can either enter a value directly, or click the icon to display a list of values from which to choose.

Other property values are selectable from a drop-down list, indicated by a [image] icon when you select the value field. Some drop-down lists are editable, while others are not. About

Some property types are mandatory in that they must have a property value defined in the Property Palette. For example, the property type Name is a mandatory property type for the element type Table. Other property types (e.g. Owning Folder) are non-editable and cannot be changed using the Property Palette.

Different colors are assigned to mandatory and non-editable property types so that you can recognize them in the Property Palette. By default, the names of mandatory properties are shown in red, and those of non-editable properties in green.

If all the property values appear in green and a value field displays with a gray background when you select it, the object is probably under version control and checked in. You can edit the properties of versioned objects only when they are checked out.

By default, the window is displayed as a grid, with the property names listed vertically and their values listed alongside.

Alternatively, you can display the window as a spreadtable. Using this format, you can list more than one set of properties in the window. For example, you can select two or more objects (either of the same type or of different types) from the Navigator and compare their property values on the spreadtable.

You can get help information on properties in the Property Palette by clicking the [image] context-sensitive help button then selecting the property on which you require information. Alternatively, select a property name or value and press F1.


About drop-down lists in the Property Palette

There are two types of drop-down list in the Property Palette: editable and non-editable.

An editable drop-down list allows you to enter any text in the value field, or choose from a set of values supplied in the list. A non-editable list allows you only to choose a value from the list.

Action	Effect with editable list	Effect with non-editable list
Double-click the property name field	Sequences through the list	Sequences through the list
Select the value field	Enables text entry	Displays the entire list
Select the value field, press ENTER then use UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW	Sequences through the list	Sequences through the list
Type character in value field with list displayed	Enters character in field	None
Type character in value field with list not displayed	Enters character in field	Selects first value in list that begins with this character, if any


Opening a new Property Palette

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A Property Palette can be used for viewing and editing the properties of an object. For any selected object (or group of objects), it contains the properties and property values.

To open a new Property Palette:

1.	If the new Property Palette is to be displayed in addition to a currently displayed Property Palette, pin the existing Property Palette.  How

Note:	If an unpinned Property Palette is open, and you try to open an additional palette, the existing palette becomes the active window. A new palette is not opened.

2.	Press F4 or choose Tools→Property Palette.


Displaying the properties of objects

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To display the properties of an object:

1.	If there are no Property Palettes available, open a new Property Palette.  How

2.	Select the object from the Navigator to display the properties in the Property Palette.

The properties of this object remain in the Property Palette until you select another object in the Navigator. It is possible to pin a Property Palette so that it retains the information on the selected object even after a different object has been selected in the Navigator. How


Displaying the properties of a set of objects

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You can view the properties of more than one object together.

To view the properties of a set of objects of the same object type:

1.	Open a new Property Palette, if necessary.  How

2.	Select the objects whose common properties you want to view. The objects should be of the same object type.

The property types for the object type are displayed in the Property Palette. Where there is a conflict with the value of a given property, the property value is displayed with a set of hashes (#####). For example, the property value for Table Name will always be displayed as #####. Table names must always be unique.

3.	(Optional)  To sequence through the set of selected objects, click [image] or

repeatedly on the Property Palette toolbar.

To return to the combined view, click [image] on the Property Palette toolbar.

4.	(Optional)  If you want to compare all the properties by using the spreadtable view, click [image] on the Property Palette toolbar.

To view the properties of a set of objects of different types:

1.	Open a new Property Palette, if necessary.  How

2.	If the Union/Intersection button on the Property Palette toolbar is not already set as desired, click it to show the [image] button (displays only the common

property types) or the [image] button (displays all the property types combined).

3.	Select the objects whose properties you want to view.

4.	(Optional)  To sequence through the set of selected objects, click [image] or

repeatedly on the Property Palette toolbar.

To return to the combined view, click [image] on the Property Palette toolbar.

5.	If you want to compare all the properties by using the spreadtable view, click [image] on the Property Palette toolbar.


Displaying the properties of an object while selecting another (pinning the Palette)

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You can cause the properties displayed in a Property Palette to remain unchanged even if you select another object from the Navigator. This action is known as "pinning" the palette. Doing so could be useful for displaying the properties of an important object while working elsewhere in the Navigator. Releasing a Palette from the pinned state is known as "unpinning" the palette.

You can make changes to properties in a pinned Property Palette.

To pin a Property Palette:

•	Click [image] on the Property Palette toolbar so that it shows a circle symbol.

With a pinned Property Palette on the screen, you can open a new Property Palette to view or edit the properties of a newly selected object.

To unpin a Property Palette:

•	Click [image] so that the pin symbol is displayed.


Expanding and collapsing properties in the Property Palette

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Expanding and collapsing groups of related properties in the Property Palette is similar to collapsing and expanding repository objects in the Object Navigator. The Palette's Expand/Collapse icons are identical to the Navigator's + and - icons.

You can either expand or collapse a single group of related properties, or you can expand or collapse all named groups of properties.

To expand and collapse individual groups:

Do one of the following:

•	Click on the Collapse/Expand icon of an expanded/collapsed group.

•	Double-click on the group label (shown in bold type) to toggle between the expanded and collapsed state.

•	Select the group that you want to expand/collapse by clicking on the group label and then choosing either Property→Expand or Property→Collapse.

To collapse and expand all groups of related properties:

•	Choose Property→Expand All or Property→Collapse All.


Viewing summary information on a property

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For each property of a repository object, you can display certain details, such as maximum length and datatype, together with the name of the repository table and column where the property definition resides.

To view summary information on a property:

1.	Select the required element or association in the Navigator.

2.	If necessary, open a Property Palette.  How

3.	Select the property on which you want to view summary information.

4.	Press F5.


Navigating to and from a referenced object using the Property Palette
Navigating to a referenced object

Where a repository object references another object, you can navigate to the referenced object from the original object. For example, if a table has a foreign key defined, you might want to navigate to the definition of the table containing the primary key that is referenced by the foreign key.

To navigate to a referenced object:

1.	In the Property Palette, select the name of the object that references the other object.

2.	Choose Properties→Locate Object Definition.


Changing the properties of an object

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You can change the properties of an object using the Property Palette. You can also change a property of a group of objects. How

When you attempt to change the properties of an object, data locks are taken out to prevent concurrent updates by other users. If the attempted lock fails, e.g., the object is locked by another user, you are informed of the reason for the failure.

To change the properties of an object:

1.	View the properties of the object.  How

2.	If necessary, scroll the Property Palette until the property you want to edit is on view.

3.	Select the property.

The property value field varies according to the property you select. Some properties have a drop-down list of possible values while others require you to type what you want in the field.

4.	Edit the property value.

Note:	When working in the Property Palette, the changes you make are not immediately stored in the repository. The properties are committed to the database when you select another object in the Object Navigator. If you are concerned about losing data, you can save the recent property changes in the repository.   How


Changing properties

Changing a property of a primary access controlled (PAC) element creates a lock on the entire element and prevents the element from being updated by another user until the lock is released.

Example: changing the name of a table creates a lock on all properties of that table element until the transaction is complete; i.e., saved or canceled.

Changing a property of a secondary access controlled (SAC) element creates a lock on the row being updated, but other rows remain unlocked. It is possible for another user to update these unlocked rows. The lock is released when the transaction is complete.

Example: User A attempts to update column EMPNO on table EMP and a lock is taken out on that column. Column ENAME on table EMP is locked by User B. At this stage, each user's view of table EMP is unchanged; i.e., the changes made by User B are not visible to User A, and vice versa. When the changes are saved, the locks on both columns are released.

There are now two representations of EMP. Each user's view of EMP will become the same when one of the following happens:

•	User A or B next edits table EMP.

•	Either user attempts to change a column whose value has changed.

In this way, data integrity is preserved.


Changing the properties of a set of objects

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You can define a value for a given property in each object in a specified set.

For example, in a single operation, you could select a group of tables and change the Journal property value from Client to Server. You can apply this task to objects of different object types. For example, you could set the Journal property in a set of selected tables and views.

To change the properties of a set of objects:

1.	View the properties of the required set of objects.  How

Note, If you are selecting objects of different object types, set the Union/Intersection toolbar button to [image] (Intersection) because you are not interested in property types that are not common to all object types.

2.	If necessary, scroll the Property Palette until the property you want to edit is on view.

3.	Select the property that you want to edit.

4.	Enter a new value for the property.

Note:	When working in the Property Palette, the changes you make are not immediately stored in the repository. The properties are committed to the database when you select another object in the Navigator. If you are concerned about losing data, you can manually save the recent property changes in the repository.   How


Saving recent property changes in the repository

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To save the changes you have made in the Property Palette, click [image].

You can do this in either the main toolbar or the Property Palette tool palette.

This task applies to the Property Palette only; changes you make in the Navigator window (e.g., creating and deleting objects) are automatically committed to the database.


Entering values for text properties

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Some repository objects can have one or more text properties. Some of these text properties (e.g., Description or Notes) permit the entry of multi-line text (these properties are indicated in the Property Palette by a [image] icon next to the property name).

To enter a value for a text property:

1.	If the property has no icon next to its name, click the value field and type in the text.

Note:	Double-clicking the property name or value field opens the TextPad for you to use, but the text is saved in a single line.

2.	If the property has a [image] icon, indicating that you can enter multi-line text, do one of the following:

•	Double-click the property name or the value field, or click [image] in the toolbar, to open the TextPad.

•	Click [image] in the toolbar to open the specified ASCII text editor, e.g., Windows WordPad or Notepad.

•	Click [image] in the toolbar to open the specified HTML editor.


Specifying text editors for text properties

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A basic text editor, the TextPad, is provided for use when entering values for those text properties (for example, Description or Notes) that make use of multi-line text. These properties are indicated in the Property Palette by a [image] icon next to the property name.

Default text editors are set up for ASCII text and HTML text based on the settings in the Windows Registry. You can specify alternative editors for either or both of these kinds of text.

To specify a text editor:

1.	Choose Options→Text Editor Options.

2.	In the Text Editors dialog box:

•	(Optional)  In the Text Editor field, type the command that runs the ASCII text editor you want to use, or use the Browse button to locate the .EXE file for the editor. Ensure that the filename is followed by the characters <SPACE>%1 in order for the command to function correctly.

•	(Optional)  In the HTML editor field, type the command that runs the HTML editor you want to use, or use the Browse button to locate the .EXE file for the editor. If you specify Netscape Navigator as the editor, ensure that the filename is followed by the characters <SPACE>"%1" for the command to function correctly.


Reverting properties to their previous settings

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If, while creating an object or editing its properties, you decide not to implement the changes you have made, you can cancel any changes you may have made, provided that you have not yet saved these changes.

To return the properties of the current object to their original settings:

•	Click [image] on one of the toolbars.

In the Application window toolbar (and the Navigator toolbar in the Repository Object Navigator), this button cancels the effect of unsaved changes to the current workarea.

In the Property Palette, this button merely cancels the effect of unsaved changes to object properties.

Example

If you highlight an object type in the Navigator window and click the Create button or choose Edit→Create to create an object of that type, the icon that represents the object type appears in the Navigator and a set of properties is displayed in the Property Palette.

If you begin to enter properties but do not save them, clicking the Revert button in the Property Palette toolbar simply returns the properties to their values before you began to change them. Contrast this with clicking the Revert button in the Application window toolbar or the Navigator toolbar, which erases both the properties display and the new icon.


Undoing the last action in the Property Palette

You can undo and redo the most recent change you have made on a Property Palette by choosing Edit→Undo.


Copying and pasting properties of an object

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You may find that having created an object, some of the property values you want to give it exactly match the values for an object you have already created. Instead of entering these values again, you can copy them from the existing object and paste them into the new object.

To copy properties to the Properties Clipboard:

1.	Select the properties that you want to copy.

2.	Choose Edit→Copy Properties.

The selected properties are copied to the Properties Clipboard.

Note:	Choosing Edit→Copy Properties overwrites the contents of the Properties Clipboard; you cannot merge copied properties.

To paste the contents of the Properties Clipboard:

1.	Select the object to which you want the copied properties to be applied.

2.	Choose Edit→Paste Properties.

This procedure can be performed many times; pasting does not clear the Properties Clipboard.

If you are unsure of the current Properties Clipboard contents, you can view them by choosing Edit→View Copied Properties.


Using shortcut keys to work with the Property Palette

Shortcuts when using the Property Palette

To		Press
Navigate vertically down the Property Palette columns		DOWN ARROW
Navigate from left to right down the Property Palette columns		TAB
Open or close a group heading in the left column (the group heading must be the context cell)		ENTER