Can't promote or demote objects!

Yeah basically that. I need to change object levels in a module, but suddenly it won't let me on certain ones, even if I delete the object and re-create it. I have no idea why.

Anything I can do?
Morrie - Fri Dec 16 09:50:10 EST 2011

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
llandale - Fri Dec 16 13:30:47 EST 2011

You mean cannot move objects around, either "after" or "below" some other object. Sorting-on disallows that as do I think perhaps a couple other display settings.

Its tricky in "shared" mode. If all the following objects are also shared sections and you are in Shared mode, moving current object "1.1" to become "2.3" requires these sections unlocked: "1", "1.1", and "2". I'm guessing also perhaps "2.2", the object "after" which you drop the moving object. Better to do it in Exclusive mode.

-Louie

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
kbmurphy - Fri Dec 16 13:32:47 EST 2011

Don't use those buttons. Cut and paste instead.

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
llandale - Mon Dec 19 14:16:35 EST 2011

kbmurphy - Fri Dec 16 13:32:47 EST 2011
Don't use those buttons. Cut and paste instead.

Well, I just now SAW those buttons for the first time! What's wrong with them?

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
kbmurphy - Mon Dec 19 16:46:33 EST 2011

llandale - Mon Dec 19 14:16:35 EST 2011
Well, I just now SAW those buttons for the first time! What's wrong with them?

They aren't always active, and it's not always easy to tell why. If you have a level 5 object that is a leaf node with no siblings, you can't demote it. Simple. If your currently selected object is a level 1 object, you can't promote it. That too, is simple. But sometimes you'll have a level 3 object that can neither be promoted to level 2 or demoted to level 4, and if you sit and think about it, you may figure out why. Screw that. Cut and paste ALWAYS works, and it is always accurate.

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
OurGuest - Tue Dec 20 09:24:11 EST 2011

While it is not absolutely necessary, a good practical approach before moving an object is to load standard view in edit mode, By being in edit mode and standard view user can know the state that DOORS is in.

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
DOORSWizard - Tue Dec 20 09:39:11 EST 2011

OurGuest - Tue Dec 20 09:24:11 EST 2011
While it is not absolutely necessary, a good practical approach before moving an object is to load standard view in edit mode, By being in edit mode and standard view user can know the state that DOORS is in.

I strongly recommend showing the 'Object Level' column when editing the DOORS module, to second what OurGuest said, I'd add this column as it makes it very clear what level all the objects are at and you won't end up moving things you didn't intend. From my experience it's a good idea to ensure that all of your sections (i.e. Object Heading is populated, and Object Text is not) are one level higher than the objects within them. So for example 3.0 Requirements object would be at Object Level 3 and all the requirement objects themselves within that section should be at Object Level 4. This way if ever you have to move a section you can rest assured that cutting the section and pasting it into a different location in the module will result in all the objects within being brought over.

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
SystemAdmin - Tue Dec 20 11:37:26 EST 2011

DOORSWizard - Tue Dec 20 09:39:11 EST 2011
I strongly recommend showing the 'Object Level' column when editing the DOORS module, to second what OurGuest said, I'd add this column as it makes it very clear what level all the objects are at and you won't end up moving things you didn't intend. From my experience it's a good idea to ensure that all of your sections (i.e. Object Heading is populated, and Object Text is not) are one level higher than the objects within them. So for example 3.0 Requirements object would be at Object Level 3 and all the requirement objects themselves within that section should be at Object Level 4. This way if ever you have to move a section you can rest assured that cutting the section and pasting it into a different location in the module will result in all the objects within being brought over.

Or, in recent DOORS versions use a view with main column indent.

  • Pekka Mäkinen - http://www.softqa.eu/

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
llandale - Tue Dec 20 12:42:26 EST 2011

DOORSWizard - Tue Dec 20 09:39:11 EST 2011
I strongly recommend showing the 'Object Level' column when editing the DOORS module, to second what OurGuest said, I'd add this column as it makes it very clear what level all the objects are at and you won't end up moving things you didn't intend. From my experience it's a good idea to ensure that all of your sections (i.e. Object Heading is populated, and Object Text is not) are one level higher than the objects within them. So for example 3.0 Requirements object would be at Object Level 3 and all the requirement objects themselves within that section should be at Object Level 4. This way if ever you have to move a section you can rest assured that cutting the section and pasting it into a different location in the module will result in all the objects within being brought over.

I like Object Level and paragraph Object Number columns when moving things around.

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
BillTidy - Thu Jan 05 06:50:51 EST 2012

kbmurphy - Mon Dec 19 16:46:33 EST 2011
They aren't always active, and it's not always easy to tell why. If you have a level 5 object that is a leaf node with no siblings, you can't demote it. Simple. If your currently selected object is a level 1 object, you can't promote it. That too, is simple. But sometimes you'll have a level 3 object that can neither be promoted to level 2 or demoted to level 4, and if you sit and think about it, you may figure out why. Screw that. Cut and paste ALWAYS works, and it is always accurate.

kb,
Cut+Paste? Whatever is wrong with drag and drop (move to same level or below)???

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
kbmurphy - Thu Jan 05 13:16:35 EST 2012

BillTidy - Thu Jan 05 06:50:51 EST 2012
kb,
Cut+Paste? Whatever is wrong with drag and drop (move to same level or below)???

BT,

If you like drag and drop, do it, but it is inherently more difficult and less precise than cut+paste. I always advise my users to make links manually even though Telelogic/IBM advertise that making links is as easy as drag and drop. As soon as the window scrolls up or downward and 1000 MPH, then you have to back out and start over.

Copy and paste has the best chance of generating the user requested action with no mistakes, provided that the user understands hierarchy in DOORS.

Kevin

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
SystemAdmin - Mon Jan 16 10:34:44 EST 2012

kbmurphy - Mon Dec 19 16:46:33 EST 2011
They aren't always active, and it's not always easy to tell why. If you have a level 5 object that is a leaf node with no siblings, you can't demote it. Simple. If your currently selected object is a level 1 object, you can't promote it. That too, is simple. But sometimes you'll have a level 3 object that can neither be promoted to level 2 or demoted to level 4, and if you sit and think about it, you may figure out why. Screw that. Cut and paste ALWAYS works, and it is always accurate.

The promote and demote buttons are only available if the current object will not be moved in relation to the objects around it.
For example:
A
-B
-C
D

If you promote B it becomes A's sibling, giving the following structure:
A
-C
B
D

So B has moved in relation to A and C - thus the promote button will not be active... And the demote is not possible...

However, C could both be promoted and demoted without moving, so both buttons are active:

A
-B
C
D

A
-B
--C
D

Did that make sense???

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
MohanRS - Wed Dec 31 15:49:33 EST 2014

llandale - Tue Dec 20 12:42:26 EST 2011
I like Object Level and paragraph Object Number columns when moving things around.

HI Louie,

 

I like to demote selected objects with Filter on. Because my case requires to move quite a larger demote. How can we do that.

Example

 

1 Object Heading

2 Object Text

3 Object Text

4 Object Heading

5 Object Text

6 Object Text

 

So I want to filter Object text in one time and demote like

1 Object Heading

1.1 Object Text

1.2 Object Text

2 Object Heading

2.1 Object Text

2.2 Object Text

But Doors is not allowing me to do so. Can you please help on this.

Re: Can't promote or demote objects!
kourosh - Thu Jan 08 13:53:47 EST 2015

MohanRS - Wed Dec 31 15:49:33 EST 2014

HI Louie,

 

I like to demote selected objects with Filter on. Because my case requires to move quite a larger demote. How can we do that.

Example

 

1 Object Heading

2 Object Text

3 Object Text

4 Object Heading

5 Object Text

6 Object Text

 

So I want to filter Object text in one time and demote like

1 Object Heading

1.1 Object Text

1.2 Object Text

2 Object Heading

2.1 Object Text

2.2 Object Text

But Doors is not allowing me to do so. Can you please help on this.

It is documented:

  • "You cannot promote or demote objects when a sort or filter is applied to the module."

source: http://www-01.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSYQBZ_9.6.0/com.ibm.doors.requirements.doc/topics/c_objectmanipulation.html?lang=en

Thus, DOORS is working as designed. You can raise an RFE if you wish:

https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/