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Key PropertiesLocate this document in the navigation structure

To view or edit a key'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.

The General tab contains the following properties:

Property

Description

Name/Code/Comment

Identify the object. The name should clearly convey the object's purpose to non-technical users, while the code, which is used for generating code or scripts, may be abbreviated, and should not normally include spaces. You can optionally add a comment to provide more detailed information about the object. By default the code is generated from the name by applying the naming conventions specified in the model options. To decouple name-code synchronization, click to release the = button to the right of the Code field.

Stereotype

Extends the semantics of the object. You can enter a stereotype directly in this field, or add stereotypes to the list by specifying them in an extension file.

Table

Specifies the name of the table where the key is defined.

Constraint name
Specifies the name of the key constraint. A primary key constraint is a named check that enforces the uniqueness and the presence of values in a primary key column. PowerDesigner automatically creates a default constraint name for a key, which you can modify. To return to the default click to release the User-Defined button. You can use the following variables:
  • %AK% and %AKNAME% - Code and name of the alternate key.
  • %TABLE%, %PARENT%, %CHILD% - Code of the table, the parent table, and the child table.
  • %REFRCODE% and %REFRNAME% - Code and name of the reference.
For a complete list of PDM variables, see Customizing and Extending PowerDesigner > DBMS Definition Files > PDM Variables and Macros

Primary key

Specifies that the key is the primary key of the table. There can be only one primary key in a table, so selecting this key as the primary key will deselect any existing primary key.

Cluster

Specifies that the key constraint is a clustered constraint (for those DBMSs that support clustered indexes).

Keywords

Provide a way of loosely grouping objects through tagging. To enter multiple keywords, separate them with commas.
The following tabs are also available:
  • Columns - Lists the columns associated with the key. Use the Add Columns tool to associate additional columns with the key.