PDM extended model definitions

Chapter 2 Physical Data Model Basics

PDM extended model definitions

Extended model definitions (.XEM files) provide means for customizing and extending PowerDesigner metaclasses, parameters and 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.

Extended model definitions may contain:

Extended attributes for applicable objects in order to further define their properties
Stereotypes to define extended dependencies established between model objects

For more information on extended dependencies, see section PDM extended dependencies.
Generation targets and commands to complement the generation of an object model, or to perform an extended generation

When you create a new PDM, or when you reverse engineer into a new PDM, you can select one or several extended model definitions and attach them to the model from the Extended Model Definitions page of the New dialog box.

You can choose one of the following options:

Option	Definition
Share	Current extended model definition constantly refers to the extended model definition stored in the Resource Files\Extended Model Definitions directory. Any changes made to the extended model definition are shared by all linked XEM
Copy	Current extended model definition is a unique copy of the extended model definition stored in the Resource Files\Extended Model Definitions directory. The current extended model definition is independent of the original one, so modifications made to the extended model definition in the Resource Files\Extended Model Definitions directory are not available to the copied XEM. This one is saved with the PDM and cannot be used without it

Option

Definition

Current extended model definition constantly refers to the extended model definition stored in the Resource Files\Extended Model Definitions directory. Any changes made to the extended model definition are shared by all linked XEM

Copy

Current extended model definition is a unique copy of the extended model definition stored in the Resource Files\Extended Model Definitions directory. The current extended model definition is independent of the original one, so modifications made to the extended model definition in the Resource Files\Extended Model Definitions directory are not available to the copied XEM. This one is saved with the PDM and cannot be used without it

For more information on extended model definitions, see chapter Extended Model Definitions Reference Guide, in the Advanced User Documentation.