Siebel Analytics Server Administration Guide > Working in a Repository's Business Model and Mapping Layer > Business Model and Mapping Layer Objects >

Working with Logical Tables

Logical tables are displayed in the Business Model and Mapping layer. Each table is displayed with the same icon, regardless of whether it behaves as a fact table, a dimension table, or as part of a snowflaked dimension in the schema. Each logical table has one or more logical columns and one or more logical table sources associated with it.

You can use the Logical Table dialog box to change the name, reorder the sources, configure the keys (primary and foreign), and modify permissions.

This section includes the following topics:

Creating and Editing Logical Tables

There are two ways to create logical tables:

If you drag and drop physical tables from the Physical layer to the Business Model and Mapping layer, all of the columns belonging to the table are included with it. You can then modify or delete the resulting logical objects in the Business Model and Mapping layer. Drag and drop operations are usually the fastest method for creating objects in the Business Model and Mapping layer. When you have dragged objects into the Business Model and Mapping layer, you can modify them in any way necessary without affecting the Physical layer.

To create a logical table explicitly

  1. In the Business Model and Mapping layer, right-click the business model in which you want to create the table and select New Object > Logical Table.

    2. The Logical Table dialog box appears.

  2. In the General tab, enter a name for the logical table.
  3. If this is a bridge table, select the option Bridge table.

    4. For information about bridge tables, see Bridge Tables to Model Many-to-Many Relationships.

  4. (Optional) Enter a description of the table.

To create a logical table by dragging and dropping

  1. Select one or more objects in the Physical layer.
  2. Drag the objects to a business model in the Business Model and Mapping layer.

    3. When you drop them in place, the objects, including the physical source mapping for them, are created automatically in the Business Model and Mapping layer.

    NOTE:  When you drag physical tables (with key and foreign key relationships defined) to a business model, logical keys and joins are created that mirror the physical joins. However, this occurs only when the tables that are being dragged include the table with the foreign keys. Once you create logical tables, if additional physical tables are dragged to the logical business model, the logical links between the newly dragged tables and the existing logical tables need to be created manually. For more information, see Defining Logical Joins with the Joins Manager and Defining Logical Joins with the Business Model Diagram.

To add a logical column to the table

  1. Click the New button to open the General tab of the Logical Column dialog box.
  2. Complete the dialog box, and then click OK.

    3. Information about the column's name, type, length, and whether it is nullable is displayed in the column window.

To edit a logical column

  1. In the Logical Columns pane, select the column you want to edit.
  2. Click Edit.

    3. The Logical Column dialog box appears.

  3. Make your changes, and then click OK.

To delete a logical column

  1. In the Logical Columns list, select the column you want to delete.
  2. Click Remove, or press the Delete key.

To reorder a logical column

  1. In the Logical Columns list, select the column you want to reorder.
  2. Use the drag-and-drop feature to reposition the column, or click the Up and Down buttons.

Using the Logical Table Dialog Box—Key Tab

Use the Keys tab to identify the primary key table.

To specify a key

  1. Open the Logical Key dialog box by selecting the Key tab, and then clicking New.

    2. The Logical Key dialog box appears.

  2. Enter a name for the key.
  3. Select the check box for the column that defines the key of the logical table.
  4. To add a column to the Columns list:
    1. Click Add.
    2. In the Browse dialog box, select the column, and then click OK.

      3. The column you selected appears in the Columns list of the Logical Key dialog box.

  5. (Optional) Enter a description for the key.
  6. Click OK to return to the Logical Table dialog box.

    7. The key is added to the Primary Key drop-down list in the Logical Key dialog box.

To edit a key

  1. Select the key you want to edit and double-click it to open the Logical Key dialog box.
  2. Make your changes.
  3. Click OK to return to the Logical Table dialog box.

To delete a key

Using the Logical Table Dialog Box—Sources Tab

Use the Sources tab to reorder the logical table sources in the Administration Tool workspace. You can also add a new source, and edit or delete an existing source.

To add a new logical table source

  1. Open the Logical Table Source dialog box by selecting the Sources tab, and then clicking Add.
  2. Complete the Logical Table Source dialog box.

To edit an existing logical table source

  1. Click a source to select it, then click the Edit button to open the General tab of the Logical Table Source dialog box.
  2. Complete the Logical Table Source dialog box.

To delete a logical table source

  1. Click the source you want to remove and click the Remove button, or press the Delete key.

    2. A confirmation message appears.

  2. Click Yes to remove the source, or No to cancel the removal.

To reorder a logical table source

  1. In the Name list, select the source you want to reorder.
  2. Use the drag-and-drop feature to reposition the source, or click the Up and Down buttons.

Using the Logical Table Dialog Box—Foreign Keys Tab

Use the Foreign Keys tab to identify or edit the foreign keys for a logical table.

To edit a foreign key

  1. In the Keys list, select the key you want to edit.
  2. Click Edit.
  3. Select or deselect the appropriate columns, and click OK.

To delete a foreign key


 Siebel Analytics Server Administration Guide 
 Published: 23 June 2003