Use the Designer to create and edit the following
repository objects:
Source definitions
Detailed descriptions of database objects (tables,
views, and synonyms), flat files, XML files, or COBOL files that provide source
data. For example, a source definition might be the complete structure of the
EMPLOYEES table, including the table name, column names and datatypes, and any
constraints applied to these columns, such as NOT NULL or PRIMARY KEY. Use the
Source Analyzer tool to import and create source definitions.
Target definitions
Detailed descriptions for database objects, flat
files, or XML files to receive transformed data. During a session, the Integration
Service writes the transformed data to targets. Use the Target Designer tool to
import or create target definitions.
Transformations
A transformation generates, modifies, or passes data
through ports that you connect in a mapping or mapplet. When you build a
mapping or mapplet, you add transformations and configure them to handle data
according to your business purpose.
Reusable transformations
You can design a transformation that you can reuse
in multiple mappings or mapplets within a folder, a repository, or a repository
domain. Rather than recreate the same transformation each time, you can make
the transformation reusable and add instances of the transformation to
individual mappings or mapplets. Use the Transformation Developer tool to
create reusable transformations.
Mappings
A mapping specifies how to move and transform data
from sources to targets. Mappings include source and target definitions and
transformations. Transformations describe how the Integration Service Understanding
Metadata 3
transforms data. Mappings can also include
shortcuts, reusable transformations, and mapplets. Use the Mapping Designer
tool to create mappings.
Mapplets
You can design a mapplet to contain sets of
transformation logic to be reused in multiple mappings within a folder, a
repository, or a repository domain. Rather than recreate the same set of
transformations each time, you can create a mapplet containing the
transformations and then add instances of the mapplet to individual mappings.
Use the Mapplet Designer tool to create mapplets.
User-defined functions
You can create user-defined functions using the
PowerCenter transformation language. Create user-defined functions to reuse
expression logic and build complex expressions. Userdefined functions are
available to other users in a repository.
Multi-dimensional metadata
Multi-dimensional metadata refers to the logical
organization of data used for analysis in OLAP applications. Dimensions and
cubes are most often used by end users of OLAP applications. Use the Target
Designer tool to create dimensions and cubes.
You can also create shortcuts to metadata in shared
folders. Use shortcuts to repository objects in shared folders. You can create
local shortcuts to shared folders within the same repository and global
shortcuts to shared folders in the global repository of the repository domain.
Use the Designer to create shortcuts.
