Distributed Attributes

Distributed attributes enable the definition of objects that have groups of attributes distributed across databases, currently restricted to the DESIgn and new ENGIneering database types. This enables a number of new possibilities:

• Improved concurrency

• Several users may work in parallel on an object, using different sets of data.

• Simultaneous multi-discipline updates on the same object are possible.

• Claims may be smaller, only claiming the relevant "portions" of an object.

• Distribution of an object’s attributes across hierarchies and databases

• Easier distribution using Global.

• Reduced need for Global extracts.

• Simplified access control

• It may be sufficient to use database ownership (by teams).

• Data may be included or excluded by database.

• Extensibility of data structures – an alternative to direct use of UDETs and UDAs

  A ‘binding’ element is used to achieve this: it may bind any number of bound elements, but these bound elements can only bind to one binding element. The attributes defined on the bound elements are then available on the binding element for both querying and manipulation.

Details of the configuration and use of distributed attributes can be found in Database and Data Management and Lexicon User Guide.