ER/Studio - Embarcadero Technologies Product Documentation

USING ER/STUDIO > WORKING WITH THE DATA DICTIONARY
• User Datatypes: Customized datatypes allow for greater flexibility. For more information, see Ensuring
Consistent Domain Definitions Using User Datatypes.
• Domains: Reusable attributes and columns that make model creation more efficient. Quickly create a model by
populating entities and tables with attributes and columns defined in domains. For more information, see Reusing
Attribute Definitions Using Domains.
• Reusable Procedural Logic: Reusable triggers, reusable procedures, and libraries. For more information, see
Reusing Procedural Logic.
This section also addresses the following topics
• Importing a Data Dictionary
• Copying and Pasting Data Dictionary Objects
Importing a Data Dictionary
You can import the Data Dictionary of another data model diagram (DM1 file), making it building a new model easier
and more efficient. You can also use macros to perform task such as importing items like domains and object
definitions, setting storage parameters on physical tables, and add naming conventions to constraints.
Using a common data dictionary in your models facilitates the re-use and enforcement of established data definitions
across multiple data models. When you important a Data Dictionary, the new objects are added to the existing Data
Dictionary. ER/Studio maintains all existing dictionary objects as well as organization structures.
Import a Data Dictionary
1 Click File > Import Data Dictionary.
2 In the File Name box, type the name of the data model where the target data Data DIctionary is stored, or browse
and locate it.
3 Choose how you want to handle name duplications by selecting one of the option listed in the Resolve Imported
Objects with Duplicate Names pane.
4 Click Open.
Copying and Pasting Data Dictionary Objects
You can select any standard Data Dictionary object and copy and paste it either within the current diagram on in
another diagram. When you copy or paste a Data Dictionary object, ER/Studio copies and pastes all of its dependent
objects too. You can also select multiple standard Data Dictionary objects, such as Defaults and Rules, or multiple
Procedural Logic Data Dictionary objects, such as Reusable Triggers or Reusable Procedures.
1 On the Data Model Explorer, click the Data Dictionary tab.
2 On the Data Dictionary tab, right-click one or more target objects and then select Copy Dictionary Objects.
3 Locate the target Data Dictionary (either the current diagram or to another diagram), right-click any node and
then select Paste Data Dictionary Objects.
Notes
• You can also copy and paste objects from a local dictionary to an Enterprise Data Dictionary.
EMBARCADERO TECHNOLOGIES > ER/STUDIO® 8.0.3 USER GUIDE 221