PM73411: Misleading behavior of 'Inherit' option when its accessed via the Object Properties ? Attributes tab

Rational DOORS Fix Pack 2 (9.5.1.2) for 9.5.1

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• The option 'Inherit' found when accessing Attribute values from:
  Right Click Object ? Properties ? Attributes ? Select Attribute
  in question ? Edit is misleading.
  
  This behavior is better explained via the following set of steps
  to reproduce:
  
  1. Open a module, create an Attribute of any type (For example:
  say type Enumeration and let it be a Multi valued one. Make sure
  to have the option 'Inherit value' checked, optionally you can
  have 'Default value' unchecked)
  
  2. Right click on any object in the module and select 'Object
  Properties'.
  
  3. Select the tab 'Attributes' and double click on the attribute
  in question.
  
  4. Uncheck the value 'Inherit' and click OK.
  
  5. Again in the Object Properties ? Attributes tab, double click
  on the attribute, the option 'Inherit' is still checked.
  
  If the end user doesn't do Step # 5 (which is most oftenly the
  case). They would be in an impression that the Attribute value
  for the selected Object is no longer inheriting the values from
  its parent. However, this isn't true and hence this behavior of
  DOORS is misleading.
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• The option 'Inherit' value when unchecked while accessing
  Attribute values for any object, need to have a default value
  entered in the text box. User has misunderstood the behavior
  (explained in the defect). This default value when not selected,
   no warning box is popped to the user, requesting value of type
  mentioned in the attribute type be entered.
  Ok is accepted and there are no changes made to the object. This
  is very misleading, as no warning box is popped up.
  

Problem conclusion

• A warning box gets popped up, when no default inherit value is
  entered. This lets user enter/select a value as applicable.
  
  Solution implemented for different attribute types are:
  For integer, real, text and string attribute types, warning box
  is popped up asking user to enter a value of type the attribute
  is.
  For date and enumeration, warning box is popped up asking user
  to select date or select a value from the list for enum.
  

Temporary fix

• There is no workaround for this issue
  

Comments

• This happens in versions of DOORS prior to DOORS 9.5.1.2. This i
  s a client side fix.
  

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  TLOGIC DOORS

• Fixed component ID

  5724V61DR

Applicable component levels

• R951 PSY

     UP