Adding attributes to objects

You can add attributes to an object when you want to provide more information about that object. You add attributes to objects using the Database Configuration application.

About this task

You can use an abbreviation of your organization as a prefix to any attribute name, for example, ACME_MEMOFIELD. This practice prevents accidentally choosing a database reserved word and prevents conflicts with new standard names in an upgrade. You cannot add an attribute that is named rowstamp, tenantid, maxsetupflag, or HASLD to an object.

Procedure

  1. Go to the Database Configuration application (Go To Applications > System Configuration > Platform Configuration > Database Configuration).
  2. On the List tab, select the object to which you want to add an attribute.
  3. On the Attributes tab, click New Row.
  4. In the Attribute field, specify a value.
  5. Specify values in the Title field and the Description field.
  6. Optional: If you want to include a long description, which can contain more data than the Description field, select the Long Description Owner check box.
  7. In the Type field, specify the data type of the attribute.
    The Length and Scale fields show default values that are based on the type that you select.
  8. Optional: Select the Required check box if you want the attribute to represent a required field on the screen.
    If the attribute is a persistent attribute, it is also required on the database.
    Requirement: If data exists in the table to which the attribute belongs, and you select the Required check box, you must specify a value in the Default Value field. Specifying a value in this field ensures that you cannot enter a null value for the required attribute. The default value that you specify is only validated against the associated domain for the attribute and the data type of the attribute.
  9. Optional: If you want a group of attributes to share data type and length, specify the parent attribute in the Same as attribute field.
    The child attribute copies the details of the parent attribute. If you change the details of any attribute in the group, the details of all attributes in the group change.
  10. Optional: Provide more information about the attribute.
  11. Save the object.

What to do next

You must configure the database for your changes to take effect.

After you add attributes, you can then add the attributes to the respective application in the Application Designer application to make the attributes accessible on the user interface.