4.13. Data models

Data models are models of data objects. A data object is a custom complex data type (for example, a Person object with data fields Name, Address, and Date of Birth).
Data models are saved in data models definitions stored in your Project. Red Hat JBoss BPM Suite provides the Data modeler, a custom graphical editor, for defining data objects.

Important

Every data object is implemented as a POJO and you need to import its class explicitly into your Process definition to allow the Process definition to see the data object.

4.13.1. Data Modeler

The Data Modeler is the built-in editor for creating data objects as part of a Project data model from Business Central. Data objects are custom data types implemented as POJOs. These custom data types can then be used in any resource (such as a Process) after importing them.
To open the editor, open the Project Authoring perspective, click New Item → Data Object on the perspective menu. If you want to edit an existing model, these files are located under Data Objects in Project Explorer.
You will be prompted to enter the name of this model object, when creating a new model, and asked to select a location for it (in terms of the package). On successful addition, it will bring up the editor where you can create fields for your model object.
The Data Modeler supports roundtrips between the Editor and Source tabs, along with source code preservation. This allows you to make changes to your model in external tools, like JBDS, and the Data Modeler updates the necessary code blocks automatically.

4.13.2. Creating a data object

  1. Open the Data Modeler: in the Project Authoring perspective, click New Item → Data Object on the perspective menu. Enter the name (unique across the whole project and not just the package) and the location and press the Ok button.
  2. Create fields of the data object:
    1. In the Create new field part of the Fields panel, define the field properties:
      • Id: field ID unique within the data object
      • Label: label to be used in the Fields panel
      • Type: data type of the field
    2. Click Create.

Important

To use a data object, make sure you import the data model into your resource. This is necessary even if the data model lives in the same Project as your resource (Business Process).

4.13.3. Annotations in Data Modeler

The Data Modeler in Business Central supports the editing of pre-defined annotations of fact model classes and attributes. For the fact model, the annotations supported are: TypeSafe, Role, Timestamp, Duration and Expires. For the fields within the fact model, the position annotation is supported.
If you want to add/edit custom or pre-defined annotations, you can switch to the source tab and modify the source code directly (in JBDS or Business Central).