Overview of Domains

A domain is a model object that you can use to assign properties quickly to an attribute or column. By using domains, you promote consistency because you can reuse a domain as many times as you like in a single or multiple data models.

Domains also reduce the time that is spent on development and maintenance. If you change the domain, all attributes or columns that are associated with the domain also change.

Domains have two types of properties:

• Non-inheritable properties: The non-inheritable properties do not migrate to child domains or attributes and columns that are associated with the domain. This is because they are properties of the domain itself.
• Inheritable properties: The inheritable properties migrate to child domains and to the attributes and columns that are associated with the domain.

The inheritable and non-inheritable domain name properties appear on the General tab. They also appear on the target database tab (for example, SQL Server) in a physical model.

When you drag-and-drop a domain from the Model Explorer onto an entity or a table, you add an attribute or a column. The new attribute or column inherits all the inheritable properties, including name, from the domain.

In the Model Explorer and in the Domain Editor, a unique icon represents each domain. A default icon is used for new domains, but you can choose a different icon to represent the domains you create.