Object Mappings

Object mapping allows you to establish connections between objects belonging to heterogeneous models and diagrams. You create mappings between objects to model O/R (Object-Relational) mappings, which associate classes with tables to store OOM objects into a relational database, or simply to express a correspondence between objects in different models.

The following table lists the supported types of model-to-model mapping in PowerDesigner:

Source Model

CDM Target

LDM Target

PDM Target

OOM Target

XSM Target

CDM

X

X

X

X

 

LDM

X

X

X

X

 

PDM

X

X

X

X

X

OOM

X

X

 

X

X

XSM

       

X

Note: Mappings are also used to define data replications in the DMM. For more information, see Data Movement Modeling > Data Movement Diagrams > Replication Processes (DMM).
You can create mappings:

Each mapping is recorded in a query, a textual expression or an XPATH expression defined in the target object, which permits the selection of data from the data source and its transfer to the target model. You can view and refine these mappings in the Mapping Editor.

The following tables list the objects that can be mapped for each kind of model.

CDM Mappings

CDM objects can be mapped to other model objects as follows:

CDM Source Objects CDM Target Objects LDM Target Objects PDM Target Objects OOM Target Objects
Entity Entity, Association, Relationship Entity, Relationship Table Class, Association
Entity attribute Entity attribute, Association attribute Entity attribute Column Class attribute
Relationship Entity, Association, Relationship Entity, Relationship Table, Reference Class, Association
Inheritance Inheritance Inheritance - -
Inheritance attribute Inheritance attribute Inheritance attribute - -
Association Entity, Association Entity, Relationship Table, Reference Class, Association
Association Attribute Association attribute, Entity attribute Entity attribute Column Attribute
Data item Data item - - -
Domain Domain Domain Domain Domain
Note: You can map inheritances with CDM objects only when its child entities are not generated, i.e. when the "Generate children" option is deselected in the Generation tab of the inheritance property sheet.

LDM Mappings

LDM objects can be mapped to other model objects as follows:

LDM Source Objects CDM Target Objects LDM Target Objects PDM Target Objects OOM Target Objects
Entity Entity, Relationship, Association Entity, Relationship Table Class, Association
Entity attribute Entity attribute Entity attribute Column Attribute
Relationship Entity, Relationship Entity, Relationship Table, Reference Class, Association
Inheritance Inheritance Inheritance Reference Generalization
Inheritance attribute Inheritance attribute Inheritance attribute - -
Domain Domain Domain Domain Domain

PDM Mappings

PDM objects can be mapped to other model objects as follows:

PDM Source Objects CDM Target Objects LDM Target Objects PDM Target Objects OOM Target Objects XSM Target Objects
Table Entity, Relationship Entity, Relationship Table, Fact,Dimension Class, Association Element, Complex type
Table column Entity attribute Entity attribute Table column, Measure, Dimension attribute Attribute Element, Complex type
View - - Fact,Dimension Class -
View column - - View column, Table column, Measure, Dimension attribute Attribute -
Reference Relationship Relationship Reference Class, Association -
Domain Domain Domain Domain Domain -

OOM Mappings

OOM objects can be mapped to other model objects as follows:

OOM Source Objects CDM Target Objects LDM Target Objects OOM Target Objects XSM Target Objects
Class Entity, Association, Relationship Entity, Relationship, Inheritance Class Element, complex type
Attribute Entity attribute, Association attribute Entity attribute, Inheritance attribute Attribute Element, Complex type
Generalization - Inheritance Generalization -
Association Association Entity, Relationship - -
Domain Domain Domain Domain -

XSM Mappings

XSM elements and complex types and their attributes can only serve as source objects for mapping to other XSM elements, complex types and attributes, but they can serve as the targets for mapings from OOM or PDM source objects.