A reflection is a copy of a project that has the following characteristics:
- Has the same name as the original source project with reflection appended to it.
- Internally, contains a link to the source project that allows the application to merge changes to the reflection into the source project.
- Has a what-if status.
After creating a reflection, you can make changes to it. You can then merge selected changes back into the source project keeping active data in the source project intact. Creating a reflection facilitates the following work flows and processes:
- Creating a sandbox area to test different project scenarios.
- Reviewing changes made in collaboration with other users of a reflection. Using the reflection as an intermediary project lets you review and accept changes before merging the reflection back into the source project.
- Reviewing changes to a project by exporting a reflection as an .XER file. You can send the .XER file to outside users who can import the file into their database. After making changes to the project, the outside users can export the file and send the resulting .XER file back to you. By importing the .XER file back into your reflection, you can decide which changes to keep when you merge the reflection back into the source project.