Data Transformation Engine Integration Flow Designer Reference Guide

Chapter 1 - Introduction Stages of Using the IFD
Integration Flow Designer Reference Guide
9
Stages of Using the IFD
This section provides an overview of the three main stages of using the IFD:
♦ Defining Systems
♦ Verifying Component Relationships
♦ Preparing Systems to Run
Stage I: Defining Systems
Using the IFD, you can experiment at design time as the IFD enables you to easily
modeling a variety of what if scenarios and visualize the results.
In the first stage, you use the IFD to construct system definition files. A system
definition file is a model of a system of maps that you want to execute. System
definition files are maintained in various system windows that you open and view.
The diagrams include map and subsystem components and their execution
properties. Data flow relationships are automatically derived and displayed. The
system definitions are stored in system definition files (.msd) based on how you
decide to organize them. The Navigator helps you to graphically interact with
system definition files and the various systems that they contain.
The IFD includes a Doc Links feature that helps you document your design. You
can link any text or Windows-registered document type to both map and system
components. Then you can view and edit this document by referencing it through
the system component to which it is linked. For example, you can link a Microsoft
Word document to a map component that specifies design information for this
map. You can link a document from a preferred project management tool to a map
or a system to assist in managing the project plan. In addition to Doc Links, the
IFD enables you to enter free-form text directly to the system definition file.
While you are defining systems, you can use the IFD to open the Map Designer
and/or the Database Interface Designer using a map you select in a system. You
can also open the Type Designer using a type tree associated with a map input or
output card that you select.