Dictionary dependencies

The Dependencies step of a dictionary's window lists the upstream objects the dictionary depends on. Use it to see what sits upstream of the dictionary, and open any of those objects directly from the list. Its mirror, Dictionary dependants, lists the objects that use the dictionary.

Open the Dependencies step

1. Open the dictionary from the Warehouse tree; see Open object editors for the other ways in.
2. Use Next to advance to the Dependencies step, or Previous to move back. The steps run in order: General, Queries, Columns, Dependencies, RLS, Data Mapping.

Read the list

• Each upstream object has its own card, and the cards sort by the object's name.
• A line above the cards counts them, like 4 dependencies, or 1 dependency for a single object.
• Every card carries its kind as a tag: View, Transformation, Write Back or Dictionary.
• The step is a view of the list: it has no fields to edit and never holds unsaved changes.

Open an object from the list

• Click the name on a card to open that object in its own window; the dictionary's window stays behind it.
• Point at a name to see what will open: the tooltip reads Open table or Open transformation, followed by the object's name.

Transformation cards

• A transformation dependency names both the object it concerns and the transformation itself. Its card shows the object's name on top and the transformation's name beneath it.
• Click either name to open that window.
• When the transformation's name cannot be resolved, the card falls back to the transformation's number, like Transformation #12, or to Unknown transformation when nothing could be resolved.

When the list is loading or empty

• While the list loads, the step shows Loading dependencies…
• With nothing upstream recorded, the step shows No dependencies and This dictionary has no upstream dependencies defined.

Questions, answered

How is this list different from the Dependants tab?

This step is upstream: it lists the objects the dictionary depends on. The Dependants tab is downstream: it lists the objects that use the dictionary. See Dictionary dependants.

Why does the step show No dependencies?

Nothing upstream is recorded for the dictionary yet, so the step shows No dependencies with This dictionary has no upstream dependencies defined. Nothing is broken, and there is nothing to fix here.

Why does a transformation card show two names?

A transformation dependency names both the object it concerns and the transformation itself. The card shows the object's name on top and the transformation's name beneath it; click either name to open that window. When the transformation's name cannot be resolved, the card falls back to its number, like Transformation #12, or to Unknown transformation when nothing could be resolved.

Can I change what the dictionary depends on from this step?

No. The step shows the list and opens the objects on it. It has no controls for changing what the dictionary depends on.

How do I open an object from the list?

Click the name on its card. The object opens in its own window and the dictionary's window stays behind it. A tooltip on the name tells you what will open, as Open table or Open transformation.

Which objects can a dictionary depend on?

Views (Views), transformations (Transformations), Writeback objects (Writeback) and other dictionaries (Dictionaries). Each card shows its kind as a tag.