You add an alphanumeric (ALN) domain when you want to add
a domain that uses one of the alphanumeric data types.
About this task
Because you can use a domain with multiple fields, the length
you specify must be less than or equal to the length of the shortest
field with which you intend to use the domain. For example, if you
want to use the domain with three fields of lengths 8, 10, and 12,
specify a length of 8 or less. If you specify a length greater than
the field the domain is used in, you cannot assign the domain to the
attribute in the Database Configuration application. Alternatively,
you can specify a greater length in the Domains application and use
the Database Configuration application to change the length of the
field that uses the domain.
Procedure
- Open the Domains application.
- At the bottom of the Domains table window, click Add
New Domain and select Add New ALN Domain.
- In the Domain field, specify a name
for the domain.
- In the Description field, type a
short description for the domain.
- In the Data Type field, specify
a data type for the domain.
- In the Length field, specify a length
that is equal to or less than the length of the field that uses the
domain. For example, if you are adding a domain for a field
in the Assets application that has a length of 12, then specify a
length of 12.
- Click New Row.
- Fill the Value and Description fields.
- Optional: Apply a domain value to a specific
organization or site by entering the relevant values in the Organization and Site fields. Domains are applied at the system level by default.
You can
leave the Organization and/or Site fields
empty for all values so that users in all organizations and sites
can access them. Or you could specify an organization and/or site
for all values so that only the users in the specified organizations
and/or sites can access them. Otherwise, complicated outcomes can
result.
For example, if you enter a value RED with no organization
specified, a value GREEN with Organization A specified, and a value
BLUE with Organization B specified, then records in Organization A
has access to GREEN only. Records that are in Organization B has access
to BLUE only. Records that are in other organizations has access to
RED only. When you specify an organization and/or site for one value,
records in that organization and/or site no longer have access to
values that have no organization or site specified.
- Optional: Click New Row again
to add more values.
- Click OK.
What to do next
After you add a domain, you might still have several tasks
to perform, depending on the domain and how you want to display it.
In
the Classifications application, you associate a domain with an attribute
in the Attributes table window. No further configuration is needed.
If
you use a domain in any other context, adding a domain requires additional
tasks:
- Associate the new domain with an attribute in the Database Configuration
application.
- Configure the database in the Database Configuration application.
- Use the Application Designer application to modify the user interface
as needed. For example, if you add an ALN domain for a field, you
must add the select value button. New crossover domains might require
new fields in the destination application.