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A column is a set of values of a single type in a table. Each row of the table contains one instance of each column. Each table must have at least one column, which must have a name and code and to which you can assign a data type, either directly, or via a domain.


In this section:
    Creating a Column
    You can create a column from the property sheet of, or in the Browser under, a table.
    Column Properties
    To view or edit a column's properties, double-click its Browser or list entry. The property sheet tabs and fields listed here are those available by default, before any customization of the interface by you or an administrator.
    Setting Data Profiling Constraints
    PowerDesigner allows you to define data profiling constraints to control the range and format of data allowed in your database. You can specify constraints on the Standard Checks and Additional Checks tabs of table columns in your PDM, entity attributes in your CDM or LDM, and domains. You can also specify data quality rules on the Rules tab of PDM tables and columns, CDM/LDM entities and attributes, and domains.
    Populating Columns with Test Data
    You can use test data to quickly fill your database with large amounts of data in order to test its performance and estimate its size. You can also use test data as the basis for data profiling. PowerDesigner allows you to create test data profiles, which generate or provide lists of data items and are assigned to columns or domains. You can create test data profiles that contain number, character, or date/time data.
    Creating a Computed Column
    Computed columns are columns whose content is computed from values in other columns in the table. Computed columns are not supported by all DBMSs.
    Attaching a Column to a Domain
    You can attach a column to a domain, and have the domain specify the data type, check parameters, and business rules for the column. Domains can help with data consistency across columns storing similar types of data.
    Copying or Replicating a Column from Another Table
    You can reuse existing columns from other tables by copying or replicating them using the tools on the table property sheet Columns tab or by drag and drop. If your table already contains a column with the same name or code as the copied column, the copied column is renamed.