Chapter 8 Extended Model Definitions Reference Guide
Extended model definitions provide means for customizing and extending PowerDesigner metaclasses, parameters and generation.
Extended model definitions belong to the resource files category and are used to complement or further define standard PowerDesigner features. If you need more information about resource files, see chapter The Resource Editor in the General Features Guide .
Caution
You should never modify the extended model definitions shipped with PowerDesigner. For each original extended model definition you want to modify, you should create a corresponding new extended model definition. To do so you have to create a new extended model definition from the List of Extended Model Definitions, define a name and select the original file in the Copy From dropdown listbox. This allows you to create a new extended model definition that is identical to the original file apart from the name.
For more information on creating a new extended model definition from an existing extended model definition, see section Creating a new resource file in chapter The Resource Editor in the General Features Guide .
An extended model contains a profile definition and generation parameters. The profile is a set of metamodel extensions defined on metaclasses.
For more information on profiles, see chapter Managing Profiles.
The generation parameters are used to develop or complement the default PowerDesigner object generation or for separate generation.
Extended model definitions are typed like models in PowerDesigner. You create an extended model definition for a specific type of model and you cannot share these files between heterogeneous models.
You can attach one or several extended model definitions to a model. Some extended model definitions are delivered with PowerDesigner, and you can create your own extensions. Extended model definitions are global to a model, they cannot be attached to a particular package.
For more information on the generation of extended model definitions, see section Generating for an extended model definition.
All extended model definitions have the same structure made up of a number of categories. A category can contain other categories, entries, and values. These entries are parameters recognizable by PowerDesigner.
The values for extended model definition categories and entries vary for each extended model definition. Some entries may not exist in the extended model definition file if they are not applicable to the particular extended model definition.
You can create generic and specific extended model definitions.
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