The Profile category is used to extend standard PowerDesigner objects. You can:
The Profile category contains the following categories:
|
Category |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Shared\ Extended attribute types |
For defining extended attribute types and shared templates. Extended attribute types are data types reused among extended attributes. Shared templates are pieces of code used in text generation. |
|
Metaclasses |
For defining metaclass extensions like custom symbol, stereotypes, criteria, or generated files. |
For more information on profiles, see Extending Your Models with Profiles.
For more information on templates and generated files, see Customizing Generation with GTL.
When you create an extended attribute in a metaclass, an Extended Attributes tab is displayed in the corresponding object property sheet. You can customize the extended attribute display using user-defined tabs. These tabs allow you to add an extended attribute value to the object definition.
Some DBMS are delivered with extended attributes that are needed during generation, this is why we advise you not to modify these extended attributes, or at least to make a backup copy of each DBMS file before you start modifying them.
If you wish to enhance model generation, you can copy the pattern of existing extended attributes and assign them to other object categories.
If you want to complement the definition of modeling objects and expand the PowerDesigner metamodel, you should define extended attributes in an extended model definition. Such extended attributes are not used during the generation process.
For more information on extended model definitions, see Extended Model Definitions.
The Extended Attribute Category is divided into the following categories: