Validation the Schema

Systems Architects and Engineers specialising in the effective use of Systems Architecture, Methods and Tools since 1982

Stability of the Schema

Although the schema cannot, in theory, be corrupted, it is possible that invalid changes may occur outside the control of the system. Therefore, the validation facility has been included to detect and correct any discrepancies.

When to Use Validation

It is not necessary to use this facility regularly but only if you receive corruption messages. These include messages that one structure of a relationship has not been defined or that a structure which should exist as one of the elements of a matrix is missing. In this case, first try this facility. Simply click the Schema Validation button and wait until it terminates.

Checks

Validations carried out include checks that:

the sphere and relationship definition tables contain no invalid entries;

all spheres identified in the sphere definition table for a project exist;

all sphere tables contained in a project are defined in the sphere definition table;

all relationships identified in the relationship definition table are represented by relations tables;

all relations tables contained in a project are defined in the relationship definition table;

all spheres which form part of an identified relationship are defined in the sphere definition table;

all sphere items which are referred to in a relations table exist in their appropriate sphere table (unsupported relations are deleted and reported);

all necessary flow and diagram related tables exist in the project.

Specification of the necessary validations is a dynamic process and new validations may be added as requirements are perceived.

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