Example: Arrayed structure

An example of an arrayed structure is an unavailability graph. This structure is defined in the standard Configuration Item (CI) files distributed with the Configuration Management application.

To create your own CI files and track availability, add the following availability fields to the CI files:

The field names must be spelled exactly as they are shown in the above table and defined with the specified field type.

In this example, there is a devicepc file for which you want each record within this file to contain statistical information on availability.

Note: The graph fields must also be added to the CI formats.

Note: You must use the Windows client whenever you need to add or edit a field/key in a database dictionary table.

Add availability fields that pertain to the devicepc file

1. Log on to the Service Manager system with a system administrator account.
2. Click Tailoring > Database Dictionary.
3. In the File Name field, type devicepc, and then click Search.

4. Place the cursor on the descriptor field, and then click New Field/Key.

   The field window opens.

5. In the Name field, type graph.of.unavailability.
6. Click the list in the Type field and choose array.

7. Click Add.

   The message Enter data type of array’s element displays at the top of the screen and the window refreshes.

   The Name field still displays graph.of.unavailability, but the Type field is blank.

   To create an arrayed structure, define the type of array as a structure, such as a character, number, or date and time structure.

   Click the list in the Type field and choose structure.

8. Click Add.

   There are two entries in the database dictionary record for the field graph.of.unavailability. The first entry defines the field as an array. The second entry defines the data type for the array. Both entries are listed as graph.of.unavailability. The system default, which can be overridden, is to use the same field name for both entries.

   The two entries are added to the bottom of the list of fields in the devicepc database dictionary record.

   Note: The second entry is indented in the above example. This occurs only if the number of fields specified in the record is less than 50.

Associate the new field to the structure

1. Tab to the second occurrence of the graph.of.unavailability field, the structure type.

   For any field to be part of a structure, the cursor must be positioned on that structure field name before clicking New for the new field to be associated with it.

2. Click New.

   The Structure field contains the value graph.of.unavailability, which is the current structure to which you are adding fields.

3. In the Name field, type date.
4. Click the list in the Type field and choose date/time.

5. Click Add.

   The date field is displayed under the structure field graph.of.unavailability.

6. Select the second occurrence of the graph.of.unavailability field, the structure type.

   Note: For any fields to be part of a structure, the cursor must be positioned on that structure field name before clicking New.

7. Click New.

   Notice the Structure field contains the value graph.of.unavailability, which is the current structure to which you are adding fields.

8. In the Name field of the window, type graph.
9. Click the list in the Type field and choose character.

10. Click Add.

    The graph field is added as the last field under the structure field graph.of.unavailability, and the message graph field added to the pcdevice file is displayed.

    In this example, the graph field is behind the window at the bottom of the screen.

When you have completed adding fields to the database dictionary record

1. Click OK.

   This closes and automatically updates the file. The message Record updated in the dbdict file displays when complete.

2. Press Back to end the database dictionary session and return to the main menu.

You have now added all of the required fields comprising the graph.of.unavailability structure. You can now edit your database dictionary record again, update it, or cancel without updating.

Note: You must update your database dictionary record when adding a new field or the database dictionary record will remain the same. You must also add new fields to the appropriate formats in Forms Designer.

Related topics

Forms Designer
Adding a key
Alias fields
Arrays
Arrayed structures
Methods for deleting database dictionary records
Deleting a key
Methods for updating database dictionary records
Modifying a key
Organization of arrays of structures in the database dictionary
Structures
Add an array
Create the unique and attribute subtables
Designate unique fields in the array of structures
Name the unique and attribute files
View the unique and attribute subtables