Meta-Update
Details
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ProcessFlowchart
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Meta-Update allows you to load up ARS records from different forms
and update or create an entry in a target form using
any of the above data.
You can also iterate through a query's results, or ASCII file's records, building or updating an equal number of target forms.
Meta-Update can be used manually, on Unix or NT at the command
prompt, fired through workflow, or executed in a script.
All required schema definitions are automatically loaded when
a Load is processed.
Schema definitions allow automatic type conversions and checks.
For example it is possible to assign a character
string to an enumerated type if the string matches
the name of a value:
Status = "Assigned"
As many different ARS records from
as many different forms as you want
can be loaded and tagged for use
in assignments.
The keys for these records can come from any source: previously loaded ARS records, program parameters, environment variables, constants, file contents. Schema definitions allow automatic type conversions and checks. When a Query is being processed, one record at a time is loaded and can be referenced.
As many program parameters as
allowed by the OS are accepted.
These can be used in both
assignments and loads.
The keys for these records can come from any source: previously loaded ARS records, program parameters, environment variables, constants, file contents.
A Query can be done when creating or updating records.
Meta-Update will iterate through the results of the query and will create one new target record, or update one and only one target record, for every query result record. The query record may be referenced in assignments, be the update record, or, be referenced to query for and load the update record. This is a simple approach to parent / child relationships.
The Remedy ARS server can be located on either UNIX or NT
system, either the same system as Meta-Update, or another system.
Meta-Update is itself available on either system. Meta-Update can be incorporated into workflow to perform hard or impossible to implement functions, reduce workflow complexity, reduce the need for hidden fields. Meta-Update can be called from scripts which themselves can be incorporated into workflow. Meta-Update can be also called from scripts which can implement "batch" updates.
Meta-Update is available
for both NT and Unix Servers and can
be run on the server itself or on any other machine
that can connect to the server.
Meta-Update can be incorporated into workflow to perform hard or impossible to implement functions, to reduce workflow complexity, and to allow configurable changes to workflow. Meta-Update can be called from scripts which themselves can be incorporated into workflow. Meta-Update can be also called from scripts which can implement "batch" updates.
Meta-Update uses the Software Tool House Meta-Layer over the
Remedy API.
No direct database reads or updates are performed. Because of the ARS API, the machine executing the update does not need to be same as the ARS server. All ARS rights are adhered to. All Server workflow fires.
The key to the flexibility of Meta-Update is the Meta-Layer.
Writing applications with the Meta-Layer gives you unprecedented power, robustness, supportibility, and configurability, over the ARS API. You are isolated from API changes. You use simple structures. Configuation is simple and flexible. Type conversions are automatic. A program simply loads schema information, loads and tags a bunch of records, and depending on its function, decides which sections of ini files to apply.
This power can be yours in your applications!
The target record can be a new record (submit) or an
update (modify).
As the Remedy API is used, all workflow is fired, all field requirements are adhered to, and normal ARS field security is checked. Only those fields specified receive updates. All other fields retain their original or default values. Attachments can be updated and can retain their original names. If a Query is used, a target record is created for each record in the query result. If updating, a further query is used to load the update record.
Meta-Update's specification file
is the key to the Meta-Layer's flexibility.
Load statements cause the retrieving and tagging of other records. These records are retrieved through keys passed on the command line, fields in ARS records already loaded, and environment variables. These can then be referenced in the Remedy ARS assignments. Assignment statements assign fields in the target schema. A Query can be used to cause Meta-Update to loop and create many target records. The set of fields assigned is used to update or create the target Remedy ARS record.
Load statements tell Meta-Update to load and identify
other records for use in assignment references or
other load references.
The IDs of these records may be passed from the program parameters, environment variables, file contents, or previously loaded records' data. This provides for a conveniant method of updating target records.
Assignment Specifications are the key to the
flexibility offered by the Software Tool House Meta-layer
and the Meta-Update utility.
A variety of sources can be referenced to build ARS update assignments. These include:
ARS fields are referenced through their names, not ids, making the field mapping process simpler. Attachment files can be replaced optionally retaining thier original name.
The results of a query are loaded one at a time.
Each record returned in the query is used to create a new target record, is the record to update, is used to query for a single record to update. The query record may be referenced in assignments, more loads, and the query for the update record. The result of a query is that as many records as returned by the query are updated or created. This is a simple approach to parent / child relationships.
Schemas definitions are loaded for all schemas to be used.
Automatic field type translations are applied. Field and value names can be used in assignment specifications.
The target record can be a new record (submit) or an
update (modify).
On an update, the record is read. On both an update or create, only those fields specified receive updates. All other fields retain their original or default values. Attachments can be updated and can retain their original names. Meta-Update can also be made to create as many records as returned by a query. The record being updated is itself loaded through a query.
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