Picture This! Using CA 2E with Graphical Tools
CA 2E Track
Darryl Millington, HawkBridge Pty Ltd (Australia)
Visualising CA 2E database relations from graphical tools such as CA ERwin and Microsoft Visio increases developer productivity and enhances communication between IT and the business. This session will cover out-of-the box solutions providing a convenient method of transferring data model information from CA 2E data models where a picture conveys a thousand words.
Session Abstract
Darryl MillingtonHawkBridge Pty Ltd
Darryl has worked as a CA 2E developer since 1988 travelling extensively as an independent consultant throughout Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK and Asia
He is a regular speaker at CA conferences and has been speaking on CA 2E-related topics since 1991
Speaker Bio
Introduction Freedom/ERwin Overview Freedom/Visio Overview Visualising CA 2E CA 2E Unique Modeling Language Freedom/ERwin Demo Freedom/Visio Demo Summary Questions
Agenda
Introduction
… in 3 simple steps where a picture conveys
1000 words!
Visualise this text based CA 2E data model relations report …
Visualising CA 2E
> Defined as
> Owned by
> Refers to
> Extended by
Order
Owned byOrder Line Order
Refers toOrder Customer
Extended byCustomer Customer
Export
Visualising CA 2E
> Includes
> Known by
> Qualified by
> Has
IncludesCustomer Audit Trail
Customer
Cust Nbr
Product Price
Effective Date
Customer
Cust Name
Higher level visual design tools do not support the full CA 2E unique data modeling language
Structure Files– Uses Known-by relation for all file relationships– Defined in the physical data model for CA ERwin
Includes Relations– Uses a non-defining relationship for CA ERwin and MS Visio– Uses Is-A relationship for CA Plex– Uses Has relations where entries are renamed for CA Plex
Database Relations– Relationship direction is reversed in CA Erwin
Span Access Paths– Treated as separate access paths for each format– Each access path may be based on a different file
CA 2E Unique Modeling Language
Freedom/ERwin the CA 2E to CA ERwin integration tool Transfers CA 2E data model information to CA ERwin data
models
http://www.hawkbridge.com.au/html/products/freedomerw.aspx
Freedom/ERwin Overview
CA 2EData Model
.xml CA ERwinModel
10 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Step 1: Run the HCRTERWERD Command to generate a physical file containing the
exported XML
11 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Uses the CA 2E model object select program to select an existing model object
12 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Uses the CA 2E model object list commands to edit
the list of selected objects
13 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Generates an CA ERwin compliant XML import file
14 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Step 2: Transfer the generated physical file to the IFS or PC
15 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Specify a standard ASCII file transfer
16 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Exclude the end of file indicator
17 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Message indicates file transfer has been successful
18 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Step 3: Open XML file directly in CA ERwin without the need for other intermediate
tools
19 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Message indicates XML import has been successful
20 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Use the Layout Entire Diagram option to produce optimal layout
21 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Open XML File in CA ERwin
21
Logical model shows human readable names for objects with model view in left
pane
22 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Open XML File in CA ERwin
22
Physical model shows internal system names for objects with domain view in left
pane
23 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Open XML File in CA ERwin
23
Logical model with alternate diagram convention
24 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Open XML File in CA ERwin
24
Relationship details showing redirected entry rolenames
25 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Open XML File in CA ERwin
25
Relationship key group details showing member attributes
Freedom/Visio Overview
Freedom/Visio the CA 2E to Microsoft Visio integration tool Transfers CA 2E data model information to Microsoft Visio
diagrams
http://www.hawkbridge.com.au/html/products/freedomvso.aspx
CA 2EData Model
.xml Microsoft VisioDiagram
27 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Generate XML File
27
Step 1: Run the HCRTVSOERD Command to generate a physical file containing the
exported XML
28 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Generate XML File
28
Uses the CA 2E model object select program to select an existing model object
29 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Generate XML File
29
Uses the CA 2E model object list commands to edit
the list of selected objects
30 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Generate XML File
30
Generates an Microsoft Visio compliant XML import file
31 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Transfer XML File to PC
31
Step 2: Transfer the generated physical file to the IFS or PC
32 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Open XML File in Microsoft Visio
32
Step 3: Open XML file directly in Microsoft Visio without the need for other
intermediate tools
33 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Open XML File in Microsoft Visio
33
Use the Lay Out Shapes option to produce optimal layout
34 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Open XML File in Microsoft Visio
34
Implicitly selected entities which were not in the initial list are grey with diagonal
stripes
35 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Open XML File in Microsoft Visio
35
Select one or more entities to run the “Show Keys Only” or “Show Attributes”
add-in against
36 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Open XML File in Microsoft Visio
36
Re-use the Lay Out Shapes option to produce optimal layout
37 Copyright © 2015 CA. All rights reserved.
Open XML File in Microsoft Visio
37
Diagram can now be manually adjusted to fine tune the layout
Session Summary
Text based modeling language of CA 2E for defining database relations is quite powerful
In large data models it can become difficult to appreciate and understand object relationships
Conversion to a graphical data model such as CA ERwin or Microsoft Visio where a picture can convey a thousand words increases developer productivity
Questions?