Using PowerBuilder Extended Attributes

When designing tables to be used in a PowerBuilder DataWindow, you can manage the extended attributes which PowerBuilder uses to store application-based information, such as label and heading text for columns, validation rules, display formats, and edit styles.

PowerDesigner supports certain columns for two PowerBuilder system tables, PBCatTbl (for tables) and PBCatCol (for columns), on the Extended Attributes tab of tables and columns available in a model to which the PowerBuilder extended model definition is attached:

In order to use the PowerBuilder extended attributes, you must first attach the PowerBuilder extended model definition to your PDM:

1. In your PDM, select Model > Extended Model Definition to open the List of Extended Model Definitions.
2. Click the Import an Extended Model Definition tool to open the Extended Model Definition Selection dialog box.
3. Select PowerBuilder and specify whether you want to share the XEM or copy it to your model.
4. Click OK to attach the XEM and click OK to close the List of Extended Model Definitions and return to your model.

   The attributes are now available for editing on the PowerBuilder tab of tables and columns.

• Generating PowerBuilder Extended Attributes
  You can update the PowerBuilder extended attribute system tables by performing a PowerBuilder extended attribute generation.
• Reverse Engineering PowerBuilder Extended Attributes
  The reverse engineering feature reads the PowerBuilder extended attributes contained in a database and writes them into the appropriate tables and columns in a PDM.