Defining Domains

Domains make it easier to identify the types of information in your model, assigning domains to attributes help you standardize data characteristics for entity attributes in different entities.

Domains are custom datatype definitions that can hold a sub-set of the available values for a datatype. By using domains as the "datatype" of your entity attributes, you can make the data model more clear and use the same definition in multiple attributes.

See also: Objects is a CDM, Domain

This topic holds the following items:

Creating a new domain

By using the context menu on the Domains node or an existing domain in the Diagram Explorer you can select the New Domain option.

Creating a new Domain

This will show the Domain Properties dialog for a new domain:

The Domain Properties dialog

Modifying any of the items in the dialog is the same for a new domain as for existing domains.

Each Domain has a name and a user written description under Notes for clarity and it's meaning in the model.

Use the OK button to create the new domain or the Cancel button to go back without creating the new domain.

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Editing a domain

By double clicking a domain in the Diagram Explorer or using the context menu and selecting Properties from the popup menu, you can start the Domain Properties dialog for existing domains.

The Domain Properties dialog

After editing a domain and accepting your changes by using the OK button, any Entities that are using this domain will be updated as well.

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Deleting a domain

You can delete a domain by using the context menu and selecting Delete Domain from the popup menu. The Diagram Editor will check to see if the domain is in use by any Entities and act accordingly. If the domain isn't being used anywhere, the domain will be delete, if it's in use, you can choose from the following options:

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Using a domain

Domains will automatically show up in the Entity Properties dialog in the Datatype drop down box at the bottom.

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