Make sure that when you modify the configuration files, you use the versioning controls in NetBeans to maintain version control. Even if you modify the files using the Master Index Configuration Editor, check the files in and out before and after using the editor.
There are a few restraints on modifying these files. In addition to the general rules listed below, the match or standardization engine you choose might place other requirements on customizations. Be sure to review Understanding the Master Index Match Engine and Understanding the Master Index Standardization Engine before modifying mefa.xml.
Keep the following guidelines in mind when modifying the XML files directly.
All fields specified in any of the configuration files must be included in object.xml.
If you add fields to the object structure, make sure you add them to the survivor calculator in update.xml.
If you define additional fields for normalization, parsing, or phonetic encoding, make sure to add the normalized, parsed, and phonetic fields to object.xml and, optionally, the blocking query.
After modifying any of the configuration files, you must regenerate the master index application and redeploy the project. You must also refresh any client projects that reference the master index server project.