Metadata Definition: Columns

On the Columns tab, you need to specify the topics in which items should display. You may also need to refer to the system-managed table of columns (in addition to the alternate table of columns) for some specific column information. Once you configure the Columns tab, all data models using the connection apply metadata to topic items in the Content frame instead of using default server names.

  To apply metadata names to data model topic items:

  1. On the Columns tab, select Custom Definition.

    The SQL entry fields activate and the system-managed information clears. Click Reset if you want to use the database defaults as a starting point.

  2. In the Select fields, enter the appropriate column names as they are displayed in the alternate table of columns and/or system-managed table of columns.

    • Physical Column Name—Name of the column of physical column names in the alternate table of columns

    • Column Alias—Name of the column of metadata column aliases in the alternate table of columns

    • Column Type—Name of the column of column data types

    • Byte Length—Name of the column of column data lengths

    • Fraction—Name of the column of column data scales

    • Total Digits—Name of the column of column precision values

    • Null Values—Name of the column of column null indicators

      If you use more than one table in the From field, enter the full column name preceded by a table name in the Select field.

      table_name.column_name

  3. In the From field, enter the physical names of the alternate table of columns (and system-managed table of tables, if necessary).

    If you are using both tables in the From field, you can simplify SQL entry by using table aliases.

  4. Use the Where field to relate columns in the alternate and system-managed tables of tables to ensure metadata is applied to the correct columns.

    Use the following syntax in the Where field (do not include brackets):

    <table of columns>.<tables column>=’:TABLE’ and <table of columns>.<owners column>=’:OWNER’.

    Interactive Reporting Studio automatically populates a topic added to the Content frame with the metadata item names when it finds rows in the alternate table of columns that match the names temporarily stored in :TABLE and :OWNER. Use also the variables :TABALIAS and :COLALIAS to specify table and column aliases in SQL.

    Note:

    The database variables must be entered in upper case and preceded with a colon.