Validation Process

As has been described in Comparison and Merge Processes there are two validation checks that can be performed prior to the full import and merging of models.

The first option is for profile mapping. The Profile Mapping? check box on the Run Information window turns this on. The Import process initializes normally and calls the external program to process the incoming SDNF file. In so doing it checks for a complete mapping of the profiles in the mapping tables. A log file is produced. No further Import actions are undertaken with this option.

Second, you can check that there are not any duplicate external mark numbers. Duplicates can quite easily come about if you copy members in the external detailing package without creating unique mark numbers for them. When they are imported into the application, the Comparison process may fail as it can be uncertain as to which member it is supposed to be comparing.

The options for this check are NEW and GLOBAL. NONE turns the facility off. NEW checks among all this run's imported members contained in the reference model for duplicate mark numbers, while GLOBAL checks the whole structural database, both imported and existing elements. These can be quite slow options as the reference model must be created and compared anyway.

As this option also calls the external program which checks the mapping of profile names between systems, the log file may also list any problems with the mapping tables. So this option is actually a combination of this and the validity checking option.

Refer to Sample Validity Check Log File for further information.

Highlight Changes in the Design

From either the Import or Export windows, select General > Highlight from the top of the window to display the Highlighter window. The window allows you to identify in a graphical window whatever you want, either according to Import date, or by Transfer/Revision number combinations. The By option button switches the window into the appropriate mode. Both options work from the start element selected and indicate only those items that are in the drawlist.

Highlight by Import Date

The window allows you to choose what to enhance on the screen according to the Import Date of an item.

The Selected items box part of the window allows you to select any combination of Added, Changed, or Deleted Items for identification, according to the date range.

By selecting the inclusive dates defining the limits of the range using the From and To date drop-down lists you can locate on the screen those items in the current drawlist which have been changed, added or deleted.

Note:
As the 'deleted' elements are relocated in the database after Merging, the area where they are finally located should also be in the drawlist if you want to view what has been 'deleted'.

Highlight by Version

The window allows you to choose what to indicate on the screen according to the Version of an item.

The rules of selecting the changed, deleted or added items are the same as Highlighting by Import Date.

By selecting the versions defining the limits of the range using the From and To version drop-down lists you can identify on the screen those items in the current drawlist which have been changed, added or deleted.

Note:
As the 'deleted' elements are relocated in the database after Merging, the area where they are finally located should also be in the drawlist if you want to view what has been 'deleted'.

Error and Warning Messages