Column Properties
You can configure column properties for a project source.
The following table describes the properties listed on the Discover | Columns view:
Property | Description |
|---|
Table Name | Name of the table. |
Column | Name of the column. |
Datatype | Column datatype. |
Domain | Name of the data domain that the column belongs to. |
Restricted | The column in the database is a restricted column. The PowerCenter Integration Service does not write the value of a restricted column to a target. |
Sensitive | Indicates whether a column contains sensitive data. |
Similar Value Columns | Shows the number of columns that are related to this column in a value cascade. |
Sensitive Columns
When you mark a column as sensitive, you indicate that the column contains sensitive data. Sensitive columns are for reference only and they do not affect processing.
When you assign a data domain to a column, Test Data Manager marks the column as sensitive.
Value Cascades
Use a value cascade to mask similar columns in different tables with the same masking rules. Use a value cascade when the columns that you want to mask are not related by key constraints. Data masking returns the same values into each column. Configure a group of similar value columns to define a value cascade.
Configure value cascades as similar value columns and define one of the columns as the driving column. If you assign a rule to the driving column, Test Data Manager assigns the rule to all the columns in the group. For example, you configure employee_num column in one table and EmpID in another table as similar value columns. Define employee_num as the driving table. When you assign a data masking rule to employee_num, EmpID receives the same masking rule. The columns in a value cascade must be the same type.
When you view the columns in a project, a driving table shows a number in the Similar Value Columns column. The number indicates how many other columns are in the value cascade. The similar value columns do not show a number in the Similar Value Columns column.
You can view a list of the columns in a value cascade. Select the driving column in the content panel. Click the Similar Value Columns view in the details panel. A list of the similar value columns appears.
To configure value cascades for an XSD source, open the XSD file from the Discover | Files view within a project. Select the elements and attributes, and configure similar value columns.
Creating a Value Cascade
Configure a value cascade as a group of similar value columns and define one of the columns as the driving column.
1. In the Discover | Columns view, select multiple columns that you need to define as similar columns.
2. Click Actions > Set as similar value columns.
A list of the columns with similar values appears.
3. Choose one column as the driving column.
To select the column, click the driving table column checkbox to change the value from No to Yes.
Changing a Value Cascade
You can change a value cascade configuration. You can change the driving column, delete a column, or add similar value columns.
1. In the Discover | Columns view, select the driving table of the value cascade you want to change.
A driving table has a numeric value in the Similar Value Columns column.
2. Click the Similar Value Columns view in the Details panel.
A list of the columns in the value cascade appears.
3. Click Edit Similar Value Columns.
The Edit Similar Value Columns dialog box appears.
4. To change the driving column to a different column, change the Driving Column value to Yes for the column that you want.
You do not have to disable the previous driving table column. The value changes to No by default.
5. To add similar value columns to the group, click Add.
Select the columns from the Add Similar Value Columns dialog box.
6. To remove columns from the group, select the columns on the Edit Similar Values dialog box and then click Delete.
Deleting a Value Cascade Group
You can delete a value cascade.
1. In the Discover | Columns view, select the driving table for the value cascade.
A driving table has a numeric value in the Similar Value Columns column.
2. Click the Similar Value Columns view in the Details panel.
A list of the similar value columns in the value cascade appears.
3. Select any column in the group and click Delete.
4. Confirm that you want to delete the similar values group.
Test Data Manager removes the value cascade.
Auto Cascades
An auto cascade masks the primary key in a parent table and related foreign keys in child tables with the same value.
Tables with key constraints have auto cascades applied by default. You can manually disable or enable auto cascades. For example, you need to mask the employee ID in an employee master table and two child tables. The employee ID is a primary key in the master table. When you mask the employee ID in the employee table, the employee ID in the child tables receives the same masked value.
To use auto cascades, key constraints must exist between the parent and the child tables.
You cannot use auto cascades for XSD sources.