Links to cells

I've tried linking individual cells in a table and using the analysis wizard to insert traceability columns. Is there any way that I can get the traceability for each individual cell?
SystemAdmin - Tue Jul 14 11:18:17 EDT 2009

Re: Links to cells
llandale - Tue Jul 14 14:50:33 EDT 2009

Normal columns don't apply to table cells; that's a feature of the way tables are displayed.

Instead of a Layout you can use an Attr-DXL to get this info, then instruct the table to display that attribute.

Table cells don't make for good link partners.

  • Louie

Re: Links to cells
SystemAdmin - Wed Jul 15 08:16:54 EDT 2009

llandale - Tue Jul 14 14:50:33 EDT 2009
Normal columns don't apply to table cells; that's a feature of the way tables are displayed.

Instead of a Layout you can use an Attr-DXL to get this info, then instruct the table to display that attribute.

Table cells don't make for good link partners.

  • Louie

I'm very new to DOORS, how would I go about doing that?

Re: Links to cells
SystemAdmin - Wed Jul 15 08:27:15 EDT 2009

SystemAdmin - Wed Jul 15 08:16:54 EDT 2009
I'm very new to DOORS, how would I go about doing that?

When we had our training from (then) Telelogic, the way that we were told to handle tables was to never, never, never use DOORS tables.

Following that advice, I have never had any problems with DOORS tables at all.

Re: Links to cells
llandale - Wed Jul 15 09:35:08 EDT 2009

SystemAdmin - Wed Jul 15 08:16:54 EDT 2009
I'm very new to DOORS, how would I go about doing that?

Somewhere there is some command that will translate a Layout into AttrDXL. If you select a table cell and then use the Table menu, you can change the table properties to display whichever attribute(s) you want.

Re: Links to cells
SystemAdmin - Wed Jul 15 10:54:58 EDT 2009

llandale - Wed Jul 15 09:35:08 EDT 2009
Somewhere there is some command that will translate a Layout into AttrDXL. If you select a table cell and then use the Table menu, you can change the table properties to display whichever attribute(s) you want.

The issue is I have to show the traceability of each of the cells that have been linked. How do attributes help me with that? Can i set an attribute to show a link? Unfortunately table cells are something that I had to deal with so I can't just not use them haha.

Re: Links to cells
llandale - Wed Jul 15 11:50:43 EDT 2009

SystemAdmin - Wed Jul 15 10:54:58 EDT 2009
The issue is I have to show the traceability of each of the cells that have been linked. How do attributes help me with that? Can i set an attribute to show a link? Unfortunately table cells are something that I had to deal with so I can't just not use them haha.

Layout and Attr-DXL lets you write code to calculate a value. For example, you can count the number of history records for that object or more commonly get information from linked-partner objects. It makes no sense to 'edit' these values since they are calculated, and the GUI doesn't let you edit either.

Layout DXL is code you display in a column saved in a view. Delete the view and the layout code is gone (I hate it when that happens). If you want the same layout in a different view, you have to make a copy effectively creating a 2nd layout.

Attr-DXL is code you assign to an actual attribute, then presumably display that attribute in a column saved in a view. If you want that attr in a different view you simply add it to that view.

Creating an Attr-DXL requires Edit access to the module; creating Layout does not, it only requires saving a View. Attr-DXL is calculated when first needed, otherwise it doesn't recalculate. Layout DXL refreshes so rediculously frequently that complicated Layouts can easily bring your PC to a thrashing halt; such as if you move some other window over your module window. Attr-DXL values can be referenced from other DXL, such as querying how many Histories an object has instead of re-calculating it. Layout can only be queried by loading the view, knowing which column, and querying the column value (that's slow and clumsy).

Attr-DXL is clearly better for standard Project-wide stuff; Layout-DXL may be better for individuals who want some information for their own use.

Digressing: I generally don't use either. I generally write on-demand (normal) DXL that calculates values and sets an attribute dedicated for that purpose in the module, then display the attribute. You can edit the values of these attributes but they get over-ridden then next time the script runs; presumably scheduled to run each night.


DOORS v8+ lets you display an attribute in a table cell instead of the default Heading/Text. Select a table cell, right-click Table Properties, use the 'Attribute' tab. Unfortunately, you can only display either the Heading/Text or a single attribute.

In your case you may want to create an Attr-DXL, perhaps called 'TableCellLinkInfo', that displays the Object Text of the cell as well as whatever link information you want. You can get the code of that link information by first using the Wizards to define a layout to do what you want, then convert that layout to attr DXL (Tools Menu >>Support Tools), then edit it to also display the Text (then delete the layout).

  • Louie

Re: Links to cells
SystemAdmin - Wed Jul 15 13:58:16 EDT 2009

llandale - Wed Jul 15 11:50:43 EDT 2009
Layout and Attr-DXL lets you write code to calculate a value. For example, you can count the number of history records for that object or more commonly get information from linked-partner objects. It makes no sense to 'edit' these values since they are calculated, and the GUI doesn't let you edit either.

Layout DXL is code you display in a column saved in a view. Delete the view and the layout code is gone (I hate it when that happens). If you want the same layout in a different view, you have to make a copy effectively creating a 2nd layout.

Attr-DXL is code you assign to an actual attribute, then presumably display that attribute in a column saved in a view. If you want that attr in a different view you simply add it to that view.

Creating an Attr-DXL requires Edit access to the module; creating Layout does not, it only requires saving a View. Attr-DXL is calculated when first needed, otherwise it doesn't recalculate. Layout DXL refreshes so rediculously frequently that complicated Layouts can easily bring your PC to a thrashing halt; such as if you move some other window over your module window. Attr-DXL values can be referenced from other DXL, such as querying how many Histories an object has instead of re-calculating it. Layout can only be queried by loading the view, knowing which column, and querying the column value (that's slow and clumsy).

Attr-DXL is clearly better for standard Project-wide stuff; Layout-DXL may be better for individuals who want some information for their own use.

Digressing: I generally don't use either. I generally write on-demand (normal) DXL that calculates values and sets an attribute dedicated for that purpose in the module, then display the attribute. You can edit the values of these attributes but they get over-ridden then next time the script runs; presumably scheduled to run each night.


DOORS v8+ lets you display an attribute in a table cell instead of the default Heading/Text. Select a table cell, right-click Table Properties, use the 'Attribute' tab. Unfortunately, you can only display either the Heading/Text or a single attribute.

In your case you may want to create an Attr-DXL, perhaps called 'TableCellLinkInfo', that displays the Object Text of the cell as well as whatever link information you want. You can get the code of that link information by first using the Wizards to define a layout to do what you want, then convert that layout to attr DXL (Tools Menu >>Support Tools), then edit it to also display the Text (then delete the layout).

  • Louie

Thanks for the help, I'll try that.

Re: Links to cells
mcnairk - Thu Jul 16 08:58:13 EDT 2009

llandale - Wed Jul 15 11:50:43 EDT 2009
Layout and Attr-DXL lets you write code to calculate a value. For example, you can count the number of history records for that object or more commonly get information from linked-partner objects. It makes no sense to 'edit' these values since they are calculated, and the GUI doesn't let you edit either.

Layout DXL is code you display in a column saved in a view. Delete the view and the layout code is gone (I hate it when that happens). If you want the same layout in a different view, you have to make a copy effectively creating a 2nd layout.

Attr-DXL is code you assign to an actual attribute, then presumably display that attribute in a column saved in a view. If you want that attr in a different view you simply add it to that view.

Creating an Attr-DXL requires Edit access to the module; creating Layout does not, it only requires saving a View. Attr-DXL is calculated when first needed, otherwise it doesn't recalculate. Layout DXL refreshes so rediculously frequently that complicated Layouts can easily bring your PC to a thrashing halt; such as if you move some other window over your module window. Attr-DXL values can be referenced from other DXL, such as querying how many Histories an object has instead of re-calculating it. Layout can only be queried by loading the view, knowing which column, and querying the column value (that's slow and clumsy).

Attr-DXL is clearly better for standard Project-wide stuff; Layout-DXL may be better for individuals who want some information for their own use.

Digressing: I generally don't use either. I generally write on-demand (normal) DXL that calculates values and sets an attribute dedicated for that purpose in the module, then display the attribute. You can edit the values of these attributes but they get over-ridden then next time the script runs; presumably scheduled to run each night.


DOORS v8+ lets you display an attribute in a table cell instead of the default Heading/Text. Select a table cell, right-click Table Properties, use the 'Attribute' tab. Unfortunately, you can only display either the Heading/Text or a single attribute.

In your case you may want to create an Attr-DXL, perhaps called 'TableCellLinkInfo', that displays the Object Text of the cell as well as whatever link information you want. You can get the code of that link information by first using the Wizards to define a layout to do what you want, then convert that layout to attr DXL (Tools Menu >>Support Tools), then edit it to also display the Text (then delete the layout).

  • Louie

A good summary! I have one comment on Louie's statement: "Delete the view and the layout code is gone (I hate it when that happens)."

To prevent such loss of layout DXL code (and some very bad words), you should save it as a standalone DXL as follows:

  • Right click on the Layout DXL column
  • Properties
  • Browse
  • Current
  • The code is displayed in a separate window (At this point you can tweak the code and Check for errors)
  • Copy and paste the code into a file e.g. foo_layout.dxl and save it in a safe place (IBM: there should be a Save button)

If you want to re-use the layout code, reverse the process:
  • Insert a new column
  • Layout DXL
  • Browse
  • New
  • Copy and paste from foo_layout.dxl
  • OK
  • OK

(There's probably a more efficient way to do this)

Ken.

Re: Links to cells
mcnairk - Thu Jul 16 11:09:53 EDT 2009

mcnairk - Thu Jul 16 08:58:13 EDT 2009
A good summary! I have one comment on Louie's statement: "Delete the view and the layout code is gone (I hate it when that happens)."

To prevent such loss of layout DXL code (and some very bad words), you should save it as a standalone DXL as follows:

  • Right click on the Layout DXL column
  • Properties
  • Browse
  • Current
  • The code is displayed in a separate window (At this point you can tweak the code and Check for errors)
  • Copy and paste the code into a file e.g. foo_layout.dxl and save it in a safe place (IBM: there should be a Save button)

If you want to re-use the layout code, reverse the process:
  • Insert a new column
  • Layout DXL
  • Browse
  • New
  • Copy and paste from foo_layout.dxl
  • OK
  • OK

(There's probably a more efficient way to do this)

Ken.

Dooohhh! Here is the slightly more efficient method:

Save:
  • Right click
  • File
  • Save as

Retrieve:
  • Right click
  • File
  • Load