Modify Object Number to include or end with an alpha character

Does anyone know if it is possible to modify a DOORS object number to include or end with an alpha character. For example:

1.2.3 Header Text
1.2.3.1 Header Text
1.2.3.1.1 Header Text (would like to change this to "1.2.3.1.a Header Text")

Then, given that I am able to make the desired change, have the ability to create:
1.2.3.1.a.1

Is there a template or other method available that allows this?
MichaelPR - Thu Jan 06 10:58:21 EST 2011

Re: Modify Object Number to include or end with an alpha character
PDU - Thu Jan 06 12:43:00 EST 2011

Hi Michael,

DOORS "Object Number" has nothing to do with the numbering of titles by Word.

DOORS Object Number is the position of the object inside the tree. It is a structural information inside the DOORS Database.

So no, it is not possible modify "Object Number".

(When the attribut "Object Heading" is not empty, DOORS use "Object Number" as an title number.)

Pierre

Re: Modify Object Number to include or end with an alpha character
llandale - Thu Jan 06 13:40:45 EST 2011

You cannot change the native 'Object Number'.

But you could, I suppose, have a couple attributes that do this work for you. The first attribute lets call it "ParagraphSpecial" houses an optional character to be used in place of the natural numbering; in your case one of your objects has "a" in this attribute and another a "b". The 2nd attribute lets call it "MyArtificialNumbering" would be an attribute DXL that retrieves the value from its parent and consults its own ParagraphSpecial, either appending the natural number e.g. "2" or using the Special character e.g. "b".

Things gets sticky if you fail to include all sibling headings with consecutive special numbering; or when your special numbering includes digits. Thus you could replace the 1st string attribute above with a boolean one, that when true automatically re-numbers all its children with consecutive alpha characters, automatically replacing a natural "1" with "a", "2" with "b" etc. In your example, your object "1.2.3.1" would set this value true and therefore its level 5 children would be numbered "1.2.3.1.a", "1.2.3.1.b" etc.

Getting rediculously out of hand this boolean attribute could instead be an enumerated one; where null means leave numbering numeric, but there are a few specific formats of numbering for the children; perhaps....

Enumerated Value ....    Means ... AlphaLower            
"a", 
"b" ... AlphaUpper           
"A", 
"B" ... LatinLower           
"i", 
"ii" ... LatinUpper          
"I", 
"II" ...

Things get sticky when dealing with non-heading text children; perhaps there needs to be an additional attribute specifying how to deal with them effectively. Perhaps a format of "(1)" or "(a)" for text objects compared to a format of ".1" or ".a" for headings.

Don't go there, use the tool as it is as often as you can.

  • Louie

Re: Modify Object Number to include or end with an alpha character
MichaelPR - Fri Jan 07 09:25:01 EST 2011

Thanks Pierre & Louie for your replies.

Louie...I've taken your lead and created a couple of User Attributes to recreate the desired Paragraph Number and added the Header text to it. One of the expected problems I face now is exporting to Word. The User Attributes do not get translated into Word Header information but as attributes.
As you warned...it just gets more sticky.

Michael

Re: Modify Object Number to include or end with an alpha character
PDU - Fri Jan 07 09:36:04 EST 2011

MichaelPR - Fri Jan 07 09:25:01 EST 2011
Thanks Pierre & Louie for your replies.

Louie...I've taken your lead and created a couple of User Attributes to recreate the desired Paragraph Number and added the Header text to it. One of the expected problems I face now is exporting to Word. The User Attributes do not get translated into Word Header information but as attributes.
As you warned...it just gets more sticky.

Michael

perhaps a little more DXL, using attribut "Paragraph Style",
and probably, after, Visual basic in Word .....

Re: Modify Object Number to include or end with an alpha character
llandale - Fri Jan 07 10:54:35 EST 2011

MichaelPR - Fri Jan 07 09:25:01 EST 2011
Thanks Pierre & Louie for your replies.

Louie...I've taken your lead and created a couple of User Attributes to recreate the desired Paragraph Number and added the Header text to it. One of the expected problems I face now is exporting to Word. The User Attributes do not get translated into Word Header information but as attributes.
As you warned...it just gets more sticky.

Michael

Well, word is going to assign its own heading numbers if you export a hierarchy. But perhaps you can suppress Word Heading numbers and find a way to export your DOORS clever headings along with Object Heading. Could have yet another DXL attribute that includes the clever heading if its a heading, along with the Object Heading, then export that, then tell Word to not display its paragraph numbering.

Yes, sticky. Forget it, use the native DOORS and Word Heading structures.

  • Louie