Adding an attribute type

You can define implementation-defined (custom) attribute types for your operational server. Custom attribute types are also called implementation-defined attribute types. Use this procedure to add an attribute type.

About this task

When adding attribute types:

  • You must choose whether to define member attribute types or relationship attribute types. Member attribute types define the attributes associated with regular members in the system. Relationship attribute types are specific to relationship types used by the relationship linker.
  • When you add an attribute type or change an implementation defined segment, the database tables are created during deployment if you have the appropriate database permissions. If, however, you do not have permissions to create tables in the database, you can use the option to generate the DDL. See Deploy Configuration Project for more information.
Attention: Adding member attribute type functionality is intended for use by IBM® or implementation partners. The MPI_seghead database table contains the name of the attribute type. The MPI_segxfld table describes the fields contained in MPI_seghead.

Attribute types are managed in the InfoSphere® MDM Workbench MDM Configuration perspective.

Procedure

  1. In the toolbar, select Advanced Interface from the Editor interface list.
  2. In the configuration editor, select the Attribute Types view.
  3. From the Type list, select whether the new attribute is a Member Attribute Type or Relationship Attribute Type.
  4. Click Add. A new attribute type is defined with a default name.
  5. In the Properties view, type a Code and Table name for the attribute type.
  6. In the Fields group box, click Add to add fields to the new attribute type. Complete steps a through e for each attribute type.
    1. In the Properties view, type the Name for the field. This name is the field name that appears in the database.

      There are standard fields that appear in all member attribute tables (such as memrecno, memseqno, caudrecno, maudrecno, recstat, attrrecno, and asaidxno) that InfoSphere MDM knows are used by all member attribute types. You do not have to add these fields for implementation-defined member attribute types.

    2. Type a Field Label. This label is used by the APIs to programmatically access the field values.
    3. Select the Field data type from the list.
    4. Indicate whether this field is the Primary Key for the table, whether the field is Required, and whether the field is Virtual.
    5. Depending upon your selection of Field data type, the Field length field might not be visible.

    If the attributes you are adding for this segment are new attributes to the InfoSphere MDM, you must add them through the Member Types > Attributes tab. See Member types.

  7. After the attributes are added, verify that the order displayed is the order in which you want them in the database. Use the Move up and Move down arrows to sort the order of attributes.
  8. In most cases, the tables are created during deployment. If, however, you do not have permissions to create tables in the database, you can use the option to Generate the DDL. For more information, see Deploy Configuration Project.