Assigning a semantic type

To benefit from the visualization and advanced analysis capabilities of other i2 applications, such as Analyst's Notebook, you can assign relevant data with a semantic type that identifies the real world content of the data.

About this task

There are two ways of assigning semantic types. You can either assign a single semantic type when adding or editing entity types, link types, fields or standard fields by using the Select Semantic Type For dialogs (as described below), or you can assign semantic types to all the items in the database schema by using the Semantic Types dialog (see Assigning Semantic Types to your data for details).

You must log on as a database administrator in order to assign semantic types.

Note: When you are assigning semantic types to fields, you cannot assign the same semantic type to more than one field in the same entity or link type.
Note: You cannot unassign the semantic type of an item in this dialog. You can only assign a different semantic type. To unassign a semantic type, use the Semantic Types dialog. Select Tools > Database Design > Semantic Types.

Procedure

  1. If this is the first time you have assigned semantic types in this database, you should load the Semantic Type Library for your organization.
    See Loading the semantic type library for details.
  2. Select an Entity Type, Link Type, Field, or Standard Field,
  3. In the Semantic Type area, open Select Semantic Type For.
    The Search Available Semantic Types box displays the name of the current entity type, link type, or field. The Ordered Results area suggests some semantic types that may be suitable for assigning to it, based on a comparison of its name with the name of the semantic type and any synonyms set up for it. You can review the suggested semantic types by clicking on a result to display information on the right.
  4. If none of the semantic types in the Ordered Results area are suitable, you can search the library. There are two ways of doing this:
    • In the Search Available Semantic Types box, enter the word or phrase that you want to search on. As you type, possible matches are displayed in the Ordered Results area.
    • Browse the semantic types displayed in the tree view.
    For detailed information, see Searching for semantic types.
    Note: If none of the semantic types are suitable, and you are working in the database that contains the central semantic type library for your organization, you can create a custom semantic type. For important information on the dos and don'ts of creating custom semantic types, see Defining custom semantic types and Maintaining the semantic type library.
  5. When you have located the correct semantic type:
    1. Select it and click OK to return to the Entity Type, Link Type, or Field dialog, which displays the selected semantic type.
    2. Click OK to save your changes— the assignment is not completed until you click OK. To cancel the assignment, click Cancel.