Understanding the Visual Composer DC Structure

Every model that you create is stored in a pair of DCs: the Interface DC and the Implementation DC. The interface DC contains the public part that lists a number of development objects visible to other DCs. Files present in the implementation DC are private.

Each model implementation present in the implementation DC points to its interface present in the interface DC. There is a clear separation between the interface and implementation parts of a DC. Thus, if only the implementation DC has changed, you do not need to build the DC again.

The implementation DC and the interface DC are composed of different files. When you add a DC to source control, you must ensure that these files are added to source control.

Component Interface File Content

File Type	Description	File Name
Dependencies	A list of component interfaces that you use inside this component interface	`Dependencies.xml`
Interface	The interface of the component in a separate file	`Interface.xml`
Model Metadata	Additional model metadata	`ModelMetadata.xml`

Component Implementation File Content

File Type	Description	File Name
GML	The design time component format	`Model.gml`
XGL	The compiled GML file	`XGL.xml`
Dependencies	A list of component interfaces that you use inside this component implementation	`Dependencies.xml`l
Translation (.xlf)	XLF file in standard format that contains strings for translation	`MasterLanguage.xlf`
Build configuration	A list of target runtimes that the component can use	`Config.xml`
Model Metadata	Additional model metadata	`ModelMetadata.xml`

In addition, you must add the following files to source control.

Component Resources

File Type	Description	File Name
Component definition file	Defines the most important attributes and dependencies of a component	`.dcdef`
Component properties	Contains properties of a DC	`Propertysheet.properties`