Data Dictionary Validation

Data Dictionary Validation allows you to validate terms in the Data Dictionary and define a standard list of field names. You must validate any new term or field name that is added to the Rules Palette. In order to enable Data Dictionary Validation, you must first enable the DataDictionaryEnforcement business rule.

Steps to Enable DataDictionaryEnforcement Business Rule

  1. Check-out the DataDictionaryEnforcement business rule in the Global Rules Explorer. The file is located in Business Rules | System.

  2. Select the XML Source tab and modify the first line to read: <DataDictionaryEnforcement Compliance=”Yes”>.

  3. Check the rule back in after making the modification.

    DataDictionary XML Source

DataDictionaryEnforcement XML

Enabling Data Dictionary enforcement also enables the Data Dictionary Validation pop-up window. This pop-up is invoked by selecting the Save AllSave All button button in the Tool bar after a field has been renamed in the Field Properties window of a transaction. It allows you to access the Manage Term tab, or to use an existing field/math variable name by changing the name. The Data Dictionary Validation pop-up displays all fields/terms that have been renamed in the Term Name column as well as the data type for each term in the Data Type column.

DataDictionary Validation Pop-up Window

Data Dictionary Validation Pop-Up Window

A hand icon will display to the right of the Data Type column for each term listed. Clicking this icon invokes the Manage Term tab window. Each term also has a red or green circle icon located to the left of the term name. The icons are red when the term has not yet been validated in the system. The icon turns green once the term has been successfully validated.

Steps to Validate a Field/Term Name

  1. Select the hand icon in the Data Dictionary Validation pop-up window. The Data Dictionary Manage Term tab window appears.

DataDictionary Manage Tab

Data Dictionary Manage Term Tab

  1. Add the term/field name in the Manage Term tab and select Close.

  2. The new term/field name should now have a corresponding green icon in the Data Dictionary Validation pop-up window to indicate that it has been validated.

  3. Close the Data Dictionary Validation pop-up window once all terms have been validated.

Important   You cannot check in a business rule/transaction/segment until all fields/term/math variable names are validated.