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Relativity Design Modifications

  • August 23, 2016
  • 3 replies
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A
  • Anonymous

When you make changes to a file layout (FD), Relativity Designer allows for merging in changes to bring the file layout up to date. But I don't see a way to add/modify entries in the Table that was created off the previous layout. In particular say I add two fields at the bottom of the layout, then I run the merge option to synchronize the changes but as far as the table is concerned I end up having to delete the old entry and then use the table wizard to make a new one and they try to put back any special settings and such (writable/updatable, order of columns, record type used, fields removed, etc.).  Am I missing something and is there a better way to adjust the table?


#Relativitytables

3 replies

Thomas Morrison
  • Thomas Morrison
  • Participating Frequently
  • August 23, 2016

When you make changes to a file layout (FD), Relativity Designer allows for merging in changes to bring the file layout up to date. But I don't see a way to add/modify entries in the Table that was created off the previous layout. In particular say I add two fields at the bottom of the layout, then I run the merge option to synchronize the changes but as far as the table is concerned I end up having to delete the old entry and then use the table wizard to make a new one and they try to put back any special settings and such (writable/updatable, order of columns, record type used, fields removed, etc.).  Am I missing something and is there a better way to adjust the table?


#Relativitytables

  1. After the merge of the changed file, open the FD window for the file containing the changes.
  2. Open the Table window for the table to which you want to add the fields.
  3. Back in the FD window, using the left margin, select the row(s) containing the new filed(s) you wish to add to the table.
  4. Click and hold on the selection, drag it to the Table window and drop it.  The new rows will be added to the existing table definition.  Touch up the column name, null setting, etc, then save the changes to the table.
  5. You are done.

In certain circumstances Relativity Designer keeps one generation of the table and file definitions to allow you to roll back a change from the automated update procedures.  This should be apparent in the database window.

Interesting side note:  the table wizard came months (perhaps years) after drag-and-drop.  I rarely use the table wizard, preferring more fine-grained control of the table definition design experience.

Tom Morrison, Consultant, South Carolina, USA
A
  • Anonymous
  • August 24, 2016

When you make changes to a file layout (FD), Relativity Designer allows for merging in changes to bring the file layout up to date. But I don't see a way to add/modify entries in the Table that was created off the previous layout. In particular say I add two fields at the bottom of the layout, then I run the merge option to synchronize the changes but as far as the table is concerned I end up having to delete the old entry and then use the table wizard to make a new one and they try to put back any special settings and such (writable/updatable, order of columns, record type used, fields removed, etc.).  Am I missing something and is there a better way to adjust the table?


#Relativitytables

Tom - EXCELLENT. I scratch my head and wonder how many other helpful tools there are to this product that are not documented. Appreciate your answer and forum contributions.

Thomas Morrison
  • Thomas Morrison
  • Participating Frequently
  • August 24, 2016

When you make changes to a file layout (FD), Relativity Designer allows for merging in changes to bring the file layout up to date. But I don't see a way to add/modify entries in the Table that was created off the previous layout. In particular say I add two fields at the bottom of the layout, then I run the merge option to synchronize the changes but as far as the table is concerned I end up having to delete the old entry and then use the table wizard to make a new one and they try to put back any special settings and such (writable/updatable, order of columns, record type used, fields removed, etc.).  Am I missing something and is there a better way to adjust the table?


#Relativitytables

Well, there is both process and reference documentation in the Relativity Designer help file, RELDBDSN.CHM.

In particular, for this topic, see the section with the title, "Creating and Editing Table Definitions".

Compiled HTML help files (CHM) might be blocked on your Windows system.  So, you might have to jump through a couple hoops to allow such files to be opened on Windows. Micro Focus provides instructions at: supportline.microfocus.com/.../CHMHelp.htm.

Once you open the Designer help file, take a stroll through the table of contents, opening up all the subtrees.  You will see a wealth of topics.  The process documentation ("How do I create a table?") comes first, followed by reference documentation ("What does this odd looking button on the Table toolbar do?").

Tom Morrison, Consultant, South Carolina, USA

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