Table Structure

This form is accessed from the Database - Administration form. It is used to configure new or existing Database Table Structures.

Table Structure - General

Information

Table Name

When creating a new database table enter the unique table name. You cannot alter the name of an existing table.

Data Source

When creating a new database table choose the required data source. You cannot alter the data source of an existing table.

Display Name

Enter an identifying name for this table. This could be used when creating a database window for this table.

Translatable Display Names

Clicking the dictionary button opens the Translate string form, where you can enter alternative display names in a variety of languages. Once you've entered an alternative name you need to switch on the Translate settings option on the Environment > Language form.

Table Type

From the drop-down list choose the required type table. Most users will only be able to add a Custom or PDB Layer Extra table type.

Layer Type

This field only applies to PDB Layer Extra type tables (although not ONE_UP or MULTI_UP) and is used to specify whether the layer is intended to contain One up, Multi up or Other designs. This is used internally within Impact to control how code uses each layer, for example in the Layout tools or when drawing system text.

Database Menu

These options are generally only available for Custom table types.

Sub Menu Text

Enter the required text to appear on the sub-menu.

Menu Text

Enter the required text to appear on the menu.

Menu Help

Enter the required menu help text.

Options

Protected from deletion

Switch this option on to prevent the table from being deleted.

Hidden from users

Switch this option on to hide the table from users.

Table Structure - Fields

This page is used to configure the fields within the database table.

Insert

Press this button to add a new field before the current field. This option will not be available if the current field is the key field, as this must always be the first field.

This will open the Table Field form.

Append

Press this button to add a new field after the current field, using the Table Field form.

Change

Press this button to change the settings for the existing field, again using the Table Field form.

Delete

Press this button to delete the current form. You cannot delete the key field.

Use the arrow buttons to change the order of the fields.

Press and hold the help button  to show the meanings of the various symbols displayed on the page.

Table Structure - Advanced

Identifier Column

GUID Column

If the table is one that supports GUIDs then you should select the appropriate column from the list.

Modification Columns

Date Column

From the drop-down list choose the date column that will be used to store when the database table was last modified.

Time Column

From the drop-down list choose the time column that will be used to store when the database table was last modified.

Store modification time in UTC

The modification time can be stored in either a local time or a UTC time. Normally a UTC time should be used as this offers support for multiple time-zones.

User Column

From the drop-down list you can choose the column that you want to use to automatically record the user that last modified a record.

Update parent table modification columns

If this is supported by the table there will be an extra option available. Select this option to automatically update the table's parent accordingly.

Archived or Active Column

You can define a column that will be used to specify whether a record in a database table is active or archived. From the drop-down list choose Active Column or Archived Column. The adjacent drop-down list will include all Boolean type columns in the table. Choose the one to be used as the archived/active column.

Date Column

Choose the column that will be used to show the date that the record's status changed from one to the other.

Time Column

Similarly choose the column to show what time this happened.

Store inactive time in UTC

The time can be stored in either a local time or a UTC time. Normally a UTC time should be used as this offers support for multiple time zones.

User Column

You can specify a column to record which user made the change.

Remote Index Column

These options are only available if the database type is Remote-DB.

Index Column

From the drop-down list choose the column to be used as an index field.

Auto-increment index value if none entered on insert

Switch this option on to automatically assign the next index value.

Use row-zero as a locking row when inserting

Switch this option on to use row zero in the index column to lock the table whilst inserting a new entry.

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