Data Transformation Diagrams

A data transformation diagram provides a graphical view of the inputs, outputs, and steps involved in a data transformation task.

Note: You create a data transformation diagram by opening the property sheet of a transformation process to the Data Transformation Tasks tab, clicking the Add a Row tool to create a new transformation task, and then clicking the Open Data Transformation Diagram tool to navigate to the new diagram. Alternately, double-click a transformation process symbol that has no sub-diagram. A task and a data transformation diagram are created.

Data comes from data inputs, are transformed by actions, and loaded to data outputs. These steps are linked together by data flows. The data that is to be transformed is represented by data structure columns, which are contained in each of these steps.

In the following example, data extracted from the Acme and Small Corp database inputs are merged into DataMerge, filtered by DataFilter, sorted by DataSort, and are then loaded into the Giant Corp database output:

You can display a step's data structure columns directly in its symbol. To toggle between the basic and the detail formats:

Right-click a symbol, and select Show Detail.

or
Select one or more symbols, and press ctrl + Q.

The number of displayed columns is specified in the Object View page of the Display Preferences dialog box. See Setting DMM Display Preferences.

In the following example, Acme, Data Filter, DataSort, and DataProjection_2 display their data structure columns in their symbol:

Data Transformation Diagram Objects
PowerDesigner supports all the objects necessary to build data transformation diagrams.
Data Transformation Task Properties
To view or edit a data transformation task's properties, double-click its diagram symbol or Browser or list entry. The property sheet tabs and fields listed here are those available by default, before any customization of the interface by you or an administrator.
Data Structure Mapping Editor
The Data Structure Mapping Editor allows you to visualize or define data structure columns in the Data Transformation Task Diagram. You can open it from the contextual menu of any data transformation step (data inputs, data outputs, and actions) or data flow symbol or from the Data Structure Columns tab of their property sheets using the Open Mapping Editor tool.

Parent topic: Data Transformation and Control Flow Diagrams