Domain Properties

To view or edit a domain's properties, double-click its 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.

The General tab contains the following properties:

Property

Description

Name/Code/Comment

Identify the object. The name should clearly convey the object's purpose to non-technical users, while the code, which is used for generating code or scripts, may be abbreviated, and should not normally include spaces. You can optionally add a comment to provide more detailed information about the object. By default the code is generated from the name by applying the naming conventions specified in the model options. To decouple name-code synchronization, click to release the = button to the right of the Code field.

Stereotype

Extends the semantics of the object. You can enter a stereotype directly in this field, or add stereotypes to the list by specifying them in an extension file.

Owner

[PDM] Specifies the user who is the owner of the object. This is usually its creator. Use the tools to the right of the list to create, browse for, or view the properties of the currently selected object.

Data type/ Length/ Precision

Specifies the form of data to be stored, such as numeric, alphanumeric, or Boolean, and, where appropriate, the maximum number of characters or numerals that can be stored, and the maximum number of places after the decimal point. Click the ellipsis button to choose from the list of standard data types (see PowerDesigner Standard Data Types).

To review the data types permitted by your DBMS, select Database > Edit Current DBMS and navigate to Script > DataType > PhysDataType). The following variables specify length and precision requirements:
  • %n - length
  • %s - length with precision
  • %p - decimal precision
For example, the data type char(%n) , requires you to specify a length.

Mandatory

[if supported by your DBMS] Specifies that a non-null value must be assigned.

Identity

[if supported by your DBMS] Specifies that the column is populated with values generated by the database. Identity columns are often used as primary keys.

With default

[PDM] [if supported by your DBMS] Specifies that the column is populated with values generated by the database. Identity columns are often used as primary keys.

Profile

[PDM] Specifies a test data profile to use to generate test data (see Populating Columns with Test Data). Use the tools to the right of this field to create or browse to a profile, or to open the property sheet of the selected profile.

Keywords

Provide a way of loosely grouping objects through tagging. To enter multiple keywords, separate them with commas.
The following tabs are also available:
Parent topic: Domains (CDM/LDM/PDM)