Before you can import data into a Rational® ClearQuest® database,
you must create an import schema or modify an existing schema to support the
data to be imported.
To
ensure that the import operation is successful, address these issues when
you create the import schema:
- To prevent data corruption, the schema repository of the import schema
must have the same data code page value as the database set that exports the
data. For more information, see the information about code pages in the online
help for the Administrator's role.
- The import schema must contain the record types, fields, field behaviors,
and data types required to support your data. It must also contain the actions
and state transitions that you want to use with the imported records and a
record form that users can use to view and modify the imported data.
- The state names in the import file must match those defined in the import
schema. If you want to use different state names, use those names in the import
file also. For example, if your current application uses the state name Submitted,
but you renamed that state to New in the import schema, you must replace Submitted
with New in the import file.
- All fields and states in your current environment must be mapped to a
field and state in the Rational ClearQuest database.
Data in unmapped fields is not imported. If the state field is not mapped,
all records are set to the Submitted state, which renders your state model
ineffective.
- If you are updating existing records, the import schema must have an action
of the Modify type.
- If you are importing history, attachments, or duplicate records or are
upgrading existing records, the import schema must contain a field to store
the original ID value; the original ID values are required for both operations.
See Original record IDs.
- If you are importing records that contain reference lists, the import
schema must contain a record type that is the destination for the reference.
For example, if you are importing defect records that contain a field for
a project, you must create the project records before you import the defect
records and then populate the project record type with project names.
Data types are validated as they are imported. If the records you are importing
contain unsupported data types, you can map those data types to supported
data types. See Supported data types.
For more information, see Rational ClearQuest schemas and Customizing a schema.
Duplicate records
If you are importing
duplicate records, the import schema must have an action of the Duplicate
type. It must also include a Duplicate state and the state of the record before
it was changed to Duplicate.
The record form must include the controls
that support viewing and modifying duplicate records. Use the Duplicate Base
control to view the ID of the parent record. Use the Duplicate Dependents
control to view the IDs of the duplicate records. For an example, see the Duplicates tab
of the Defect record type in any predefined schema.
Original record IDs
Rational ClearQuest software
assigns a new record ID to each imported record,
Your import schema
must include a field for the original record ID. The original record ID is
used to maintain data integrity when importing duplicate records, history,
and attachments, and when updating existing records. It is also used when
re-creating parent/child links. It can be used in queries to find records
by using the original record ID.
If you use the Export
wizard to export data from another Rational ClearQuest database,
map the ID field in the import file to the original (old) record ID field.