Using Database Tools to Alter the Schema

Instead of first making the changes to the database structure in the Archibus data dictionary and then using the Archibus Schema Change Wizard , you can change the database schema directly using tools supplied with the database, and then change the Archibus Tables table and the Archibus Fields tables to match. This method eliminates the Schema Change Wizard.

To alter database structure directly, you can use SQL or native database engine tools, such as:

• Database Manager (Oracle)
• Enterprise Manager (Microsoft SQL)

Once you make a change with these tools, you must modify the corresponding conceptual representation in the Archibus data dictionary to match using SQL statements or manual entry to the database dictionary.

For example, if you add a column using these tools,you must create a record in the Archibus Fields table that defines this column, taking care that the name, data type, and width exactly match. You must also add the rest of the Archibus-specific information, such as the field title, to the new record in the Archibus Fields table.

You may prefer to use this method if you are:

• comfortable with the database tools.
• making minor changes.
• integrating Archibus with an existing, external schema.

The caution with this method is that you must have procedures in place to keep your Archibus data dictionary consistent with the physical database. If the data dictionary and the physical database get out of sync, you can experience errors in your applications and encounter difficulty and confusion when upgrading to new versions of Archibus. Also, if you later create new projects, they will be based on the original schema shipped with Archibus and will not reflect the project database that you updated.