Tagging
An important part of the analysis process is the ability to intelligently select subsets of the population and perform further analysis on this subset only.
Tagging is a process which allows the volume of data being viewed to be narrowed down and allows items of particular interest (files, directories, applications and machines) to be highlighted.
Analysis Workbench implements several methods for tagging and filtering, all of which are based on the tagging mechanism.
Every file, machine, application and directory can be ‘tagged’, that is, selected. Visually, this is indicated by a check box next to each item in the window.
The simplest mechanism is to tag one or more items manually by selecting the tag check box next to the item (or by hitting the Space bar).
Tag Types
Two different types of tags are available:
- Local tags: Impact only the window they are applied in (the local window).
- Global tags: Can impact other windows. Only global tags can be used to teach entries to the SAI.
Filters are used in conjunction with these tags to limit the amount of data displayed in a window.
Tagging Data in the Information Windows
Tagging a File
Globally tagging a file has the following effect:
- It causes a file tag to be set for the file itself.
- It causes a file tag to be set for all machines on which it occurs.
- It causes a file tag to be set for all applications that contain an instance of this file.
- It causes a file tag to be set for all directories in which an instance of this file can be found.
Tagging a Directory
Globally tagging a directory has the following effect:
- It causes a directory tag to be set for the directory itself.
- It causes a directory tag to be set for all files in any instance of the directory.
- It causes a directory tag to be set for all applications in any instance of the directory.
- It causes a directory tag to be set for all machines on which the directory occurs.
Tagging a Machine
Globally Tagging a machine has the following effect:
- It causes a machine tag to be set for the machine itself.
- It causes a machine tag to be set for all the files on the machine.
- It causes a machine tag to be set for all the applications on the machine.
- It causes a machine tag to be set for all the directories on the machine.
Tagging an Application
Tagging an application has the following effect:
- It causes an application tag to be set for the application itself.
- It causes an application tag to be set for all directories in which an instance of this application can be found.
- It causes an application tag to be set for all machines on which the application occurs.
- It causes an application tag to be set for all the files that are contained in that application.
Methods for Applying Tags
Edit Menu
Global and Local tag options are available in the Edit main menu.
Setting a tag from this level will impact all the tag settings, both Local and Global. In addition, any filters that have been set, can be closed. This is a good start point.
Information Window Toolbar
The information window toolbars are used for setting the tag type (Local or Global) as well as window specific options.
Column Header
Options in the column header shortcut menu can be used to tag unique (only one) or duplicate (more than one) entries. They also have a Contains function used to select items that match a substring search.
Column Contents
Options in the column shortcut menu tag entries above, below a particular row or matching a specific row-column combination.
Using SHIFT + right-click in the window area has the effect of inverting the tag selection for the current row. For example, instead of a right-click in the Version column giving Version is 95, SHIFT + right-click gives Version is not 95.
Clearing and Setting Tags for All Items in All Windows
The Edit menu has options for globally tagging and untagging entries in all information windows. This can be very useful when you have large volumes of data and you want to ensure that none of the items in any of the information windows are tagged (even if the windows are not displayed).
To do this:
- Select Tag All > Both from the Edit menu. This sets both Global and Local tags in all the information windows (even if they are not displayed).
The status bar now indicates that all files in all windows are tagged. Information similar to the following will be shown:
Machines 6/6 Applications 31/31 Directories 121/121 Files 1211/1211
- Select Untag All > Both from the Edit menu. This clears all the Global and Local tags in all the windows (even if they are not displayed).
The status bar now indicates that all files in all windows are untagged. Information similar to the following will be shown:
Machines 0/6 Applications 0/31 Directories 0/121 Files 0/1211
All information windows (Files/Directories/Applications/Machines) contain no tagged items.
Tag Lists in the Machines Window
In the Machines window, you can load and store lists of tagged machines.
A .tag file is a text file containing the asset numbers of the tagged machines. It is saved with a .tag extension.
This can be very useful for saving time in situations where you have carried out complicated tagging procedures and have reached a subset of machines that are of particular interest.
Rather than having to redo the complicated tagging procedures when you reload the data or you re-inventory your population, you can load a machines tag list and those particular machines will automatically be tagged.
Any machines that no longer exists will be ignored in the tag list file.
To save a current machine tagging list
- In a Machines window tag the required machines.
- Select the Save Tags List from the Tag drop-down toolbar menu.
The asset numbers of the currently tagged Machines are saved in a .tag file.
To load a tag file:
- Select the Load Tags List from the Tag drop-down toolbar menu.
- Navigate to the .tag file, select it and click Open.
The file will be loaded and matching machines will be tagged.