DDF - Data Definition Files

The Data Definition File, or DDF for short, is a text file that describes how each database is stored, queried, and presented to the end user. It is a static picture of structure of the database.

The duties of the DDF include:

Listing database tables and fields to be used by SmartSolve.
Assigning human-readable names to these tables and fields for display.
Identifying the type of each field (number, string, etc.), including any special SmartSolve - specific types described.
Assigning limits and default values for each field.
Grouping related fields to organize and simplify the query interface.
Relationships between the entities in the SmartSolve database.
Providing table or view creation scripts to recreate the objects if necessary.

Reading the DDF

Refer to the data definition file to get the view and the table names that need to be inserted into the report. The data definition file document lists all the columns, tables and views used in the entire SmartSolve application.

Extract the SmartSolvexxx.zip file from DDF folder.
Click the Index.htm tab.
Click the SmartSolve tab.
Click the Tables or Views tab to view the tables and the views.
Use the search and enter the table or the view name: [V_IAC_INTERNAL_ACTOR].
Click on the Table or View name: [V_IAC_INTERNAL_ACTOR].
Scroll down to view all dependencies for the [V_IAC_INTERNAL_ACTOR] view.
The DDF file also provides the script to review how the view is structured in the database.
Result: The dependency information will allow users to pick a view instead of multiple tables and linking them or just choose any single table instead of a view. This will save time and increase system performance. The table information includes a foreign key section that can provide information on the fields that can be used to join tables.