Generic Tables#

Generic Tables are general purpose tables used to store data records. Each Generic Table has its own database table and will therefore require a unique metadata definition that can be done directly through the Critical Manufacturing Administration page.

System Generic Tables#

The Critical Manufacturing installation is populated automatically with a set of Generic Tables which are necessary for the normal functioning of the system:

Table: System Generic Tables

Generic Table Page Views#

Data View#

Lists all the data rows that are included in the Generic Table. You can add new rows or edit the existing ones. You can also export data to file.

Definition View#

• Generic Table Definition - displays information on the actual table definition.
• Properties - list of the existing properties.

History View#

This view combines information concerning other objects that have references to the current Generic Table object:

• History - displays the history of the operations, associated information, user(s) performing the changes and date and time of the changes.

Creating a Generic Table#

GenericTable.Create

Step 1: General Data#

1. Enter a Name for the Generic Table.
2. Optionally, enter a Description.
3. Optionally, enter a Data Group.
4. Specify whether the table should keep the History information.
5. Optionally, enter the History Days by Default.
6. Optionally, enter a key to be used for reference in Localized Messages.
7. Select Next to define the Generic Table Properties.

Step 2: Properties#

1. Add or remove as many properties as needed and you can also order them (use to add, to remove, and or to order properties). For each property, you need to enter:

   • Name.
   • Description.
   • Localized Message Key.
   • Key status (setting a field as Key forces the Mandatory status to be set as well).
   • Mandatory status.
   • Indexed in Database.
   • Reference Type (depending on the reference, additional details need to be provided below):
     • None
     • EntityType
     • Entity Version - both the specific versionable Entity Type and the property to which it refers are required.
     • Enum - specific enumeration needs to be specified.
     • Lookup Table
     • Lookup Value - name of the table to use as a reference for the value.
   • Data Type - depending on the reference type.
   • Size (applicable only to some data types - for example, VarChar, Decimal, among others).
   • Decimal places, applicable only to Decimal data type. Must be less or equal to the Size.
   • Validation range (optional) - a string like '[start,end]' to designate ranges between start and end. An open bracket at the end excludes the limit values, for example, [1,10] excludes the number 1 and includes the number 10.
   • Validation regular expression (optional).
   • Default value (optional).

2. Select Create to complete the operation.

Step 3: Generating Schema#

GenericTable.GenerateSchema

Steps 1 and 2 are used to create the table definition. To create the schema in the database and to be able to use it anywhere in the system, the Generic Table must be actually created and made active by inserting it into the database.

This schema generation is achieved by selecting the Generate Schema button from the Generic Table Definition View.

Editing a Generic Table Definition#

GenericTable.Edit

To edit the definition of the Generic Table, open the Definition View and select the button. A wizard will be displayed to allow editing the basic details as well as adding or removing properties. Selecting Save will save the new settings.

Terminating a Generic Table#

GenericTable.Delete

To terminate a Generic Table, it is necessary to open the Generic Table details and select the Terminate button.

Editing Generic Tables Data#

GenericTable.EditData

To edit a Generic Table data, proceed as follows:

1. Open the Data View.
2. Add new records by selecting on the top ribbon.
3. Selecting the button will open a dialog that allows the user to edit existing records.
4. Remove existing records by selecting the values and selecting the Remove button on the top ribbon.
5. Select Save to commit the changes.

Copy Generic Tables Data#

GenericTable.EditData

To copy a Generic Table data, proceed as follows:

1. Open the Data View.
2. Select one or more records from the table.

3. Select Copy on the top ribbon.

   

4. In the wizard, select the record you want to copy.

5. Select the copy icon at the top of the grid.
6. For each copied record, make the changes you need.

7. Select Copy to complete the operation.

   

It is also possible to copy records by using the Add operation on the top ribbon.