You can associate a rule set (and the library rules it contains) with one or more data sources. This is a helpful way to reuse library business rules in data sources and an efficient way to create new rules and to help maintain standards in a central location.
You can also copy the rule set rules to one or more data sources without creating an association between the rule set and data source. The copied rules can be edited as needed without affecting rule sets in the Library or other data sources. Copying a rule set without creating an association is useful when you want to keep the original rules as a backup.
- Benefits of copying rules to a data source
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Copying a rule set is also useful when you want to keep the original rules as a backup. In a production environment, it is likely that a rule set is used by hundreds of data sources. Any change in the rules in the set can cause a disruption in production unless it is tested before deployment. This problem is solved by copying a tested rule set to the data sources in production. Then you can add new rules to the rule set and modify the original rules in the rule set without the risk of affecting production.
Use the Add Data Source Associations to Rule Set window to guide you through the Select, Map, and Associate steps, which include the following tasks:
- Select the task you want to perform, including associate to data source, copy to data source, and edit mappings.
- Map all attributes in the rule set to attributes in the data source.
- Review data sources and finish association.
- As part of the association process, attributes in both the rule set and target data source(s) must also be associated, or mapped. You map the names of all attributes in the rule set to attributes in the data source. However, not all data source attributes require a rule set mapping.
- Attributes are pre-mapped when one or more attribute names in the data source are used for rule set attributes.
- You can define similar mappings to multiple data sources at a time.
- A rule set must contain at least one business rule before you can associate it to a data source.
- Associations are made at the data source level; associations for a library rule set create associations for all rules and attributes contained in the data source.
Opening and Using the Associations Window
The Add Data Source Associations to Rule Set window has three tabs labeled Select, Map, and Associate to guide you through the data associations process. Your work is saved as you continue through the tabs. At any time during the process you can view a summary of your selections and make edits to your saved work. You can work in other areas of the Discovery Center while keeping the Data Associations to Rule Set window open.
To open and use the Associations window
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To edit your settings:
- Click the Select or Map tab when it shows a green check.
- From the Summary page:
- Click the edit icon (
) for the step you want to edit. This closes the
Summary and opens the step for editing. - Click In Progress to open the step you last worked on.
Note: When you return to a tab to edit information, verify the selections on other tabs because they may need to change based on your edits. For example, if you are working on the Map tab and you go back and select another data source on the Select tab, you will need to map attributes for that data source.Clicking Finish on the Associate tab completes the mapping. To close the window at any time without saving your work, click Cancel or the X icon.