Creating attribute types

You can create attribute definitions by using the base types that are supplied with Rational® DOORS®, or you can create custom attribute types for your attribute definitions.

Before you begin

You must have create and modify access to the module to create an attribute type, and the module must be open in exclusive edit mode.

About this task

Rational DOORS has several base types, as described in the next table.
Table 1. Base types
Base type Description
Text Can include paragraphs, or newline characters.

No restriction exists on the number of characters that can be entered.

String Cannot include paragraphs, or newline characters.

An upper limit of 968 exists on the number of characters that can be entered, which includes hidden characters. For example, rich text contains hidden characters, and these characters are included as part of the 968 characters. Unicode and upper ASCII characters use more internal storage space than plain ASCII characters.

If you try to enter a value that contains more than 968 characters, an error is reported, and the value is truncated. If you must enter many characters, use a Text attribute.

Integer Stores whole numbers. Numbers can be positive or negative.
Real Stores decimal numbers. Numbers can be positive or negative.
Date Stores dates.
Enumeration A list of values. You must define the list of values for an enumerated attribute.

For example, you might define an attribute type that is called Priority, and that uses Enumeration as its base type and the values High, Medium, and Low.

Username A Rational DOORS user name. This attribute type is linked to the current users in the Rational DOORS database. Rational DOORS attributes that use this type can be updated when users are removed from the Rational DOORS database.

You can construct types from these base types. For example, you create a type that is called Percentage, which uses Integer as its base type and can have values in the range 0-100. You then create various attributes of the Percentage type. You know that users can assign only integer values 0 - 100 to those attributes. Rational DOORS rejects any other values as invalid.

You can use types to indicate which units of measurement are used for an attribute. For example, you create a type that is called Kg, which uses Integer as its base type. Then, you create an attribute that is called Weight and that is of the Kg type. If users are viewing the values in the Weight attribute and are not sure what units the weight is measured in, they can check the attribute type and see that the units are Kg.

If you are integrating with Rational Insight, you must assign a supported, predefined URI to the attribute type. For information about predefined URIs, see Predefined URIs for attributes in modules.

Procedure

  1. Click Edit > Types.
  2. Click New, or select the type to copy, and then click Copy.
  3. Type the name of the new attribute type in the Type name field, and select the options that you want. For more information about the options, click Help.
  4. Click OK to create the attribute type.
Related concepts:
Attribute types
Access rights
Related tasks:
Editing attribute types
Deleting attribute types
Reusing attribute types
Creating an attribute definition
Editing attribute definitions
Reusing attribute definitions

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