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Data Model Transformation

Before we can generate the DDL for the new database table, we have to convert the logical representation of the Score Card entity type to a physical representation of a database table.

Normally this might be accomplished by doing a complete transformation of the logical data model to a physical data model as represented by the Data Structure List and the Data Store List diagrams. Collectively these two diagrams are often referred to as the Technical Design. But if your DBA had made many implementation specific changes to the Technical Design, like reordering columns of a table or changing the order of indexes, a complete transformation would erase those changes as it would delete the existing Technical Design first and then re-apply the basic rules of transformation to the data model objects to create the new Technical Design. So rather than perform a complete transformation, we will perform an incremental transformation instead.

Follow these steps:

  1. Under the Technical Design Defaults, ensure that you have the appropriate Technical Design selected. Your diagram will look similar to the following image:

    Select appropriate Technical Design from Technnical Design dialog

  2. Open the Data Structure List. From the Menu Bar click Edit, Implement Entity Type. In the Unimplemented Entity Types and Subtypes dialog select the entity type SCORE_CARD. Upon selecting it a Consistency Check will be run.

    On the Consistency Check dialog click the Continue push button. The dialog will close.

    Note: If the Continue push button is disabled, this implies that the Consistency Check has failed. Click the Display push button to see the report.

  3. Back on the Unimplemented Entity Type dialog click OK. A (new object) (MS/SQL) Table Properties dialog will appear.
  4. Click OK on the Table Properties dialog. The dialog will close and you will now see that the new table has been added to the Data Structure List.
  5. Select the SCORE_CARD table in the Data Structure List and expand it. The Data Structure List will look as follows:

    5.	Select the SCORE_CARD table in the Data Structure List

  6. Open the Data Store List. Select the SCORE_CARD table and expand it. The Data Store List will look as follows:

    Select the SCORE_CARD table in the Data Store List