Manage Snapshot Tables

Repository records are stored in XML. Accessing or manipulating attribute values requires parsing the XML, which can be time-consuming. Snapshot tables are database tables that are used to store attribute values that need to be accessed quickly. There is one snapshot table per repository. To include an attribute in a snapshot table, in the repository, specify that the attribute is relational.

The benefit of using snapshot tables is that data can be manipulated quickly. The downside of using snapshot tables is that when an attribute value change, it must be updated in two places. Additionally, the more attributes added to a snapshot table, the longer it takes to access its attributes.

For an attribute to be included in a repository’s snapshot table, it must be defined as relational. This is done at the repository level so that repositories based on the same profile can have different attribute columns in their snapshot tables. When the first attribute in a repository is defined as relational, the repository’s snapshot table is created. Any additional attributes defined as relational will be added to the snapshot table. If the definition for an included attribute is later changed to not relational, the column will be removed from the snapshot table.

Managing snapshot tables and defining attributes as relational is done using the Enable Classic UI. To define a repository’s attribute as relational:

  1. Log into the Enable Classic UI as a user assigned to the Administrator group.
  2. Select Repositories from the Quick Links dropdown list on the top right of the screen or Model/Repositories from the left Feature bar.

    Select Repositories from the Model Tab

    Select Repositories from the Quick Links

  3. From the Repository list, single-click to select the repository that contains the attribute(s) to add to the snapshot table.

    Select the Repository

  4. Select the Edit/Attribute Properties from the Action dropdown menu.

    Edit Attribute Properties

  5. The Attributes Properties window will appear.

    Define Attributes as Relational to Include them in the Snapshot Table

  6. Check or uncheck the Relational checkbox for each attribute to be added to or removed from the snapshot table.
  7. The attributes have been defined as desired, click the Save button at the bottom of the screen to save your changes and close the Attribute Properties window, or click Cancel to exit without saving.