When deleting object, DOORS reports inlinks on another object

We are on DOORS 9.3. When trying to delete an object (AbsNo: 1407), a message box pops up saying that it can't be deleted because of incoming links. The message include the information that there are 7 in-links to 1408 starting at etc. 1408 does have 7 in-links, but 1407 shows none. I've looked at 1407's links property sheet, shown deleted objects, went to the link property sheet of the first object listed in the message, gone into the link module and looked at 1407, and I've even run the old tool from 5.2 to correct bad link pointers in the module. When I add a link to object 1407 and try to delete it, the message says that there are 8 in-links to the object starting with the one I created. Right now I'm at the point where I just hope everything is okay tomorrow, but if anyone has any further suggestions, I'm willing to go to levels even more ridiculous than those I've tried.

I apologize in advance if this topic is already covered, I'm trying to rush out the door.
phrebh - Tue Jan 25 18:22:25 EST 2011

Re: When deleting object, DOORS reports inlinks on another object
SystemAdmin - Tue Jan 25 19:44:05 EST 2011

A possibility is that object 1407 is a parent to object 1408 - if you delete a parent object, all of the child objects are deleted as well.

If a parent object has child objects below it and those child objects have incoming links, DOORS will get grumpy and prevent this from happening because you need to account for (impact analysis) and then delete those incoming links without a guilty conscience!!

Use the module explorer to see if 1408 is one level below 1407.

Paul Miller
Melbourne, Australia

Re: When deleting object, DOORS reports inlinks on another object
phrebh - Wed Jan 26 09:30:51 EST 2011

Of course! Sheesh, how could I have missed that? Thanks a bunch!

Re: When deleting object, DOORS reports inlinks on another object
llandale - Wed Jan 26 11:52:36 EST 2011

Yes, rightfully or wrongfully you may not delete an object with incoming links (but you can with outgoing links). When you delete an object you also delete all its descendants; you can therefore not delete an object when one of its descendants has incoming links. Yes, the error message should be clearer.

  • Louie