Data Transformation Engine Type Designer Reference Guide

Chapter 9 - Partitioning Partitioning Types
Partitioning a Group Type Using Identifiers
Note In a component list, only one component may have the identifier attribute.
The identifier attribute distinguishes the components that can be used to identify
the type to which a data object belongs. Typically, use this technique to
distinguish group partitions when components following the identifier are different
for each partition, or, if you have a multi-level partitioned sub-tree. In the latter
case, using an identifier accelerates data validation.
A partition is valid when each component up to and including the identifier is
validated. If the set of components is valid, the partition exists.
If the identifier set of components is not valid, the partition is determined not to
exist. Either validation occurs for the next partition at the same level (if there is
one) or it is determined that the partitioned group does not exist.
If the partition exists, what occurs next depends on the position of the partition
type in the sub-tree.
♦ If the partition is partitioned (that is, it has subtypes), the rest of the
components are skipped and the process begins to validate subtypes until a
subtype is valid, exists and is in error, or does not exist.
♦ If the partition has no subtypes, the remaining components are validated. If all
remaining components are valid, the partition not only exists, but also is valid.
If one or more components are found to be in error, the partition exists, but its
type is in error. If the partition exists, but its type is in error, the error is
propagated back up the partitioned sub-tree until the group being validated is
reached. When a partition is found to exist, the system will not continue to
search for partitions.
To specify a component as the identifier
1 Select the component.
2 From the Component menu, choose Identifier.
Or, click
(Identifier) on the toolbar.