Creating a database definition from scratch

You can create a database definition (.dbm file) from scratch. A database definition is required to create database mappings.

Before you begin

About this task

A database definition file holds the physical data model that details all the database resources, such as the schema, the tables, and other resources, that you need access to.

You must have a database definition (.dbm file) contained in a data design project before you can create database mappings. You can also use database definitions in other nodes, such as the Compute node, to validate references to database sources and tables. You must include a data design project in an application, or reference it from an Integration project, before you can use the database definitions that your data design project contains.

Database definition files in the IBM® App Connect Enterprise Toolkit are not automatically updated. If you modify your database, you must re-create the database definition files.

Complete the following steps to create a database definition (.dbm file) from scratch:

Procedure

  1. Click File > New > Other.
    A window opens in which you can select a wizard.
  2. Expand Data, select Physical Data Model, and click Next.
    The New Physical Data Model wizard opens.
  3. Next to the Destination folder field, click Browse....
    A window opens in which you can select a parent folder for your database definition.
  4. Select a data design project from the list, and then click OK.
    Important: Ensure that you select a data design project as the parent folder for your database definition. Database definitions must be contained in a data design project before you can use them in your IBM App Connect Enterprise messaging solutions.
  5. In the File name field, enter a name to represent the database that you want to model. You do not need to select the Database or Version.
    Important: Create a database definition only if your database is supported by IBM App Connect Enterprise.

    For a list of databases supported by IBM App Connect Enterprise, see IBM App Connect Enterprise requirements.

  6. Select Create from template, then click Next.
  7. In the Templates pane, select Empty Physical Data Model, then click Finish.
    Your empty database definition is created, is displayed in the Data Project Explorer view, and is opened in the Physical Data Model editor.
  8. If the Data Project Explorer view is not open in your IBM App Connect Enterprise Toolkit, open it:
    1. Click Window > Show View > Other.
      A window opens in which you can select a view.
    2. Expand Data Management, select Data Project Explorer, and click OK.
      The Data Project Explorer view opens.
  9. In the Data Project Explorer view, expand your database definition and select Database.
    The database properties are displayed in the Properties view.
  10. In the Properties view, select the General tab. In the Name field, enter the name of your database.
    If you use this database definition with the Graphical Data Mapping editor, the Name is displayed as the name of the data source, and is used when creating the JDBC Providers policy for the IBM App Connect Enterprise runtime connection.
  11. In the Data Project Explorer view, select Schema.
    The database schema properties are displayed in the Properties view.
  12. In the Properties view, select the General tab. In the Name field, enter the name of your database schema.
    Database schemas are used only by the Mapping node, and only when calling a graphical data map that contains a database transform. For more information about mapping database content, see Mapping database content.
  13. In the Data Project Explorer view, right-click Schema and select Add Data Object > Table.
    A Table is created, and is displayed under your Schema in the Data Project Explorer view.
  14. Define the columns in your Table:
    1. In the Data Project Explorer view, right-click your Table, and select Add Data Object > Column.
      A Column is created, and is displayed under your Table in the Data Project Explorer view.
    2. Enter a name for your Column.
    3. In the Properties view, select the Type tab to define the attributes of your column.
  15. Repeat steps 13 through 14 for each table in your database, and then save your database definition.
  16. Save your database definition, and close the Physical Data Model editor.

What to do next

Before you can use your database definition in a messaging solution, you must complete one of the following tasks: