Chapter 3 DBMS Reference Guide


Profile category

The profile category is used to define PowerDesigner profiles.

In a DBMS, you can define extended attribute types and extended attributes for database objects.

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 chapter "Managing Profiles".

For more information on templates and generated files, see chapter "Generation Reference Guide".

Extended attributes

When you create an extended attribute in a metaclass, an Extended Attributes tab appears 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.

Extended model definition

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 chapter "Extended Model Definitions Reference Guide".

The Extended Attribute Category is divided into the following categories:

 


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