The Optim™ Directory
is a set of tables in which Optim tracks
processing status and stores objects needed for processing. You must
use the Configuration program to create or
configure the Directory tables and stored procedures needed to access
the Directory.
Objects in the Directory that are common to Optim components include the following:
- Access Definitions
- An Access Definition identifies a set of related data to be processed
by Optim. It references the
database tables and their relationships, and provides criteria to
select specific rows within tables. An Access Definition is required
for an Extract Process.
- Column Maps
- A Column Map provides specifications needed to match columns between
two tables referenced in a Table Map. Also, a Column Map can be used
to transform data, age dates in tables, and exclude one or more columns
from processing. A Column Map can be referenced in a Table Map for
an Insert or Load Process.
- Column Map Procedures
- A Column Map Procedure facilitates data transformations in a Convert,
Insert, Load, or Restore Process that are beyond the scope of native
Column Map functions.
- DB Aliases
- A DB Alias provides parameters needed to connect with a specific
database. A DB Alias name is used as a high-order qualifier for an
object or table name, providing information that Optim needs to access the appropriate database.
A DB Alias is needed anytime Optim references
a database object; for example, to qualify the name of an Optim primary key, Optim relationship, or a database table referenced
in an Access Definition, Column Map, or Table Map.
- Primary Keys
- Primary key columns uniquely identify each row in a database table.
A primary key can be used to create an Optim relationship,
and is required for a table that is changed by an Insert Process or
a table that is visited more than once in an Extract Process. A primary
key is also required to enable the row selection (Point and Shoot)
feature for an Access Definition or an Extract Process.
- Relationships
- A relationship is a defined connection between the rows of two
tables that determines the parent or child rows to be processed and
the order in which they are processed. Optim uses
relationships to determine the data to be retrieved from related tables
and rely upon relationships defined to the database, when available.
However, you can also define relationships to supplement those in
the database. Generally, a relationship is needed in a process that
uses an Access Definition.
- Table Maps
- A Table Map identifies and matches two tables or sets of tables
in an Insert or Load Process and can exclude one or more tables from
processing. A Table Map is required for an Insert, Load, or Restore
Process.