Column Maps

A Column Map provides specifications needed to match or exclude columns from processing. A Convert, Create, Insert, Load, Restore, or multi-table Compare Request must reference a Table Map, which may reference one or more Column Maps. A Compare Request for a single table comparison may reference a Column Map directly.

A Column Map must be used when column names or attributes are dissimilar, when data transformations (e.g., for data privacy) are needed, or when excluding one or more columns from processing. A Column Map referenced in a Convert, Insert, Load, or Restore Process can modify data, age dates, or convert currency. Advanced methods allow you to split data from one table into several tables or copy one source column to several destinations. A Column Map referenced in a Compare Process cannot transform data, however.

For data transformations that are beyond the scope of a Column Map, you can specify an exit routine or a Column Map Procedure for a source column. (Exit routines, programs that conform to the C programming language, are discussed in Exit Routines for Column Maps. Column Map Procedures are discussed in Column Map Procedures.)

When you create a new Column Map, you must choose the source for the columns you want to map. The source can be either a table in an Extract or Archive File or a table in a database. Similarly, you must specify a destination database table.

Column Maps stored in the Optim™ Directory are available for reuse or sharing with other users. A local Column Map is stored as part of a Table Map or Compare Request and is otherwise not available. If the Table Map is Local to a process request, both the Table Map and Column Map are available only to the specific process request.

Table Maps

A Table Map provides a way to control or direct the placement of data in a Convert, Create, Insert, or Restore Process, and to exclude one or more tables from Compare, Convert, Create, Insert, or Restore Processing. (For details, see Create a Table Map.) Specify Column Maps in a Table Map to control processing, column by column.

Naming Conventions

The fully qualified name of a Column Map has two parts: identifier.name.

identifier
Identifier assigned to the Column Map (1 to 8 characters).
name
Name assigned to the Column Map (1 to 12 characters).

When you create Column Maps, it is helpful to use a logical set of naming conventions to identify and organize definitions for easy access.

Contents

This section provides detailed information on how to: