Administer > Database administration > Data persistence > Database dictionary > Methods for adding database dictionary records

Methods for adding database dictionary records

Your database dictionary records should match the tables and columns Service Manager manages in the RDBMS. We recommend that you use database dictionary records as your primary data definition source and allow Service Manager to make changes to RDBMS tables, columns, and indexes as needed. If you provide Service Manager with an RDBMS account with table create-alter-drop-rights, any time you make a change in a database dictionary record, the server automatically makes the necessary changes in the RDBMS.

If you do not provide Service Manager with table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, an RDBMS administrator must make all the necessary changes each time you add, remove, or update a database dictionary record. In such cases, we recommend you enable DDL logging to capture database dictionary changes. The Service Manager administrator can then provide the DDL to the RDBMS administrator who can approve or modify it as needed. After the RDBMS administrator has created the necessary tables, columns, and indexes, the Service Manager administrator can import the existing RDBMS columns.

The following table summarizes the methods you can use to add database dictionary records and the best practices we recommend.

Action From the System Definition utility From the Database Dictionary form From RDBMS utilities
Add a database dictionary record Best practice: Provide Service Manager table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, and create a new database dictionary record. Service Manager creates the required tables, columns, and indexes in the RDBMS.
  • Best practice: Provide Service Manager table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, and create a new database dictionary record. Service Manager creates the required tables, columns, and indexes on the RDBMS.
  • Enable DDL logging and use the Database Dictionary form to create a new database dictionary record. Have the RDBMS administrator add tables, columns, and indexes based on the DDL, and then use the Database Dictionary form to import the existing RDBMS columns.
You cannot create a Service Manager database dictionary record from RDBMS utilities.
Add a table Best practice: Provide Service Manager table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, and then create a new database dictionary record. Service Manager creates the required table in the RDBMS.
  • Best practice: Provide Service Manager table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, and create a new database dictionary record. Service Manager creates the required tables in the RDBMS.
  • Enable DDL logging and use the Database Dictionary form to create a new database dictionary record. Have the RDBMS administrator add a table based on the DDL, and then use the Database Dictionary form to import the existing RDBMS columns.
Have the RDBMS administrator add a table directly to the RDBMS, and then use the Database Dictionary form to import the existing RDBMS columns.
Add a field Best practice: Provide Service Manager table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, and add a field to a database dictionary record. Service Manager creates the required column in the RDBMS.
  • Best practice: Provide Service Manager table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, and use the Database Dictionary form to add a field to a database dictionary record. Service Manager creates the required column in the RDBMS.
  • Enable DDL logging and use the Database Dictionary form to add a field to a database dictionary record. Have the RDBMS administrator add a column based on the DDL, and then use the Database Dictionary form to import the existing RDBMS columns.
You cannot create a Service Manager field from RDBMS utilities.
Add a column Best practice: Provide Service Manager table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, and add a field to a database dictionary record. Service Manager creates the required column in the RDBMS.
  • Best practice: Provide Service Manager table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, and use the Database Dictionary form to add a field to a database dictionary record. Service Manager creates the required column in the RDBMS.
  • Enable DDL logging and use the Database Dictionary form to add a field to a database dictionary record. Have the RDBMS administrator add a column based on the DDL, and then use the Database Dictionary form to import the existing RDBMS columns.
Have the RDBMS administrator add a column directly to the RDBMS, and then use the Database Dictionary form to import the existing RDBMS columns.
Add a key Best practice: Provide Service Manager table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, and add a key to a database dictionary record. Service Manager creates the required index in the RDBMS.
  • Best practice: Provide Service Manager table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, and use the Database Dictionary form to add a key to a database dictionary record. Service Manager creates the required index in the RDBMS.
  • Enable DDL logging and use the Database Dictionary form to add a key to a database dictionary record. Have the RDBMS administrator add an index based on the DDL.
You cannot create a Service Manager key from RDBMS utilities.
Add an index Best practice: Provide Service Manager table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, and add a key to a database dictionary record. Service Manager creates the required index in the RDBMS.
  • Best practice: Provide Service Manager table create-alter-drop-rights to the RDBMS, and use the Database Dictionary form to add a key to a database dictionary record. Service Manager creates the required index in the RDBMS.
  • Enable DDL logging and use the Database Dictionary form to add a key to a database dictionary record. Have the RDBMS administrator add an index based on the DDL.
Have the RDBMS administrator add an index directly to the RDBMS, and then manage it from RDBMS utilities.

Related topics

Automatic update of database dictionary records
Automatic update of RDBMS data when database dictionary records change
Database dictionary
Database dictionary records

Create an active database dictionary record
Create an inactive database dictionary record
Create a database dictionary record by importing RDBMS columns
Import RDBMS columns into an existing database dictionary record