DataFlux Data Management Studio 2.5: User Guide

Customize - Definitions

A definition is a set of steps for processing a data type in a locale. Types of definitions include match code, parse, and standardization.

Definitions can be inherited down the locale hierarchy.

Create a Definition

Definitions can be created from the toolbar in the Data Types and Definitions pane, or the context menu within the tree. When you click the Add a Definition icon, the New Definition dialog opens.

Your new definition will be assigned to the currently selected locale. If you used the context menu, this is the locale in which the context menu was activated.

You must specify the Data Type, Definition Type, and Name. If the context menu was used, some of these fields may already be populated.

Definition Name Rules:

• Names are case-insensitive for the purpose of comparison.
• A name may not contain non-alphanumeric characters, including commas.
• Within a locale, no two definitions of the same type may have the same name.
• A locale may have a definition of the same name and type as one in an ancestor locale; in this case, the ancestor's definition will be "overridden"; for example, the ancestor's definition will no longer be available for use in the child locale.

Once the definition is created, a diagram appears in the Diagram pane. The behavior of the definition is configured using the Nodes in the diagram, which each represent one step in the process. The specifics of the Nodes for each definition type are described in the Nodes section.

Copy a Definition

To copy a definition, click the Create a Copy icon in the Data Types and Definitions toolbar, or from the context menu within the tree. Each copy belongs to the Locale where its original belongs.

For example, if you select a Definition that belongs to EN, the copy is placed in EN.

If there is already a definition with the same name and type in the target locale, the copy will be named similarly to the original, with a numeric suffix (for example, "Copy of Address 2"). You can rename the copy as desired.

Delete a Definition

Select the item you want to delete and then click the Delete icon from the Data Types and Definitions toolbar, or from the context menu within the tree. Only items that are not in use by any other definitions may be deleted.

Edit a Definition

Select the definition to make changes to that definition. The Properties and Notes tabs are available just as when the definition was newly created.

To rename a definition, go to the Properties tab and type the new name. Make sure you refer to the rules for definition names. Any existing definitions that make use of the renamed item, either in the current locale or its children, will be made aware of the new name.

Validity

A definition may be invalid if:

• it contains a Node that is invalid
• one or more special constraints are violated

The text in the Output section of the Testing window displays why the definition is invalid and an invalid icon appears to the definition name in the Data Types and Definitions pane. Invalid definitions prevent a QKB from being saved.

Definition Types

Definition types include:

• Case Definitions
• Extraction Definitions
• Gender Analysis Definitions
• Identification Analysis Definitions
• Language Guess Definitions
• Locale Guess Definitions
• Match Definitions
• Parse Definitions
• Pattern Analysis Definitions
• Standardization Definitions

Related Topics

• Customize Window
• Customize - Locales
• Customize - Data Types