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You can see that the configuration interface is very similar to Aurora AutoForm creator. We found the Aurora AutoForm creator to have an easy learning curve thus enabling users to build complex forms after a very short time. We wanted to replicate this experience with the metadata editor and this is why we opted for this familiar interface.
Definitions
Types
- Tab – this type controls grouping of metadata fields in metadata editor. It is used exclusively for metadata editor purpose and has no representation in the metadata table.
- MetadataField – this type defines the actual metadata field – its name, control type, label, initial value, etc. Each simple MetadataField is represented by a metadata table column. Complex MetadataFields, just like Tabs, have no representation in the metadata table.
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Framed in blue we have five columns called KEYWORDS_KEYWORD0 to KEYWORDS_KEYWORD4 which allow us to store the keywords entered by metadata editors while still allowing simplicity and speed when querying the data.
You may wonder what happens if we want to replicate a more complex metadata. Is this a viable option? Shouldn’t there be a more complicated model with multiple relational tables alike the LLPG storage model?
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If you want to create new metadata model, please go to METADATA (1) tab. If no other metadata model is open you can start creating your model straight away. If there is already a model open please click Create (2) to clear the workspace.
First you should add a tab by clicking Add new tab (3) so your controls are grouped together. When a Tab entry is on the list please select it (4) and start adding fields via Add new field (5) button. If you wish to delete a field or a tab, just select it on the list and click Delete (6). You can also change field ordering by selecting a field on the list and clicking Change Order (7). You can also see that this is a brand new model as both the Table and Last synchronisation (8) read: N/A.
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Validating a model
While working on a metadata model it’s possible to verify whether the structure that you’ve created is considered by Earthlight as a valid one. To do so you can click Validate at any point during metadata creation or modification without enforcing your changes onto the database metadata table.
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Validating metadata model is especially important when you’re modifying an existing model as committing a change to the metadata table structure is an irreversible process which may result in data loss. See the note in Modifying existing model section.sect |
Saving a model
When you’re happy with the result of your work you can click Save tool to save the model and commit your changes to the metadata table structure. When you click Save you will see a confirmation window with warnings regarding changes to metadata table structure.
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