Map Data

Data Mapping

Mapping analytical data is the most crucial activity within the SEDD system. To create an XML deliverable, a deliverable type's data elements should be mapped to the analytical data within the source database. The result of the mapping will be saved in a Data Element Map (DEM) file. The mapping utility enables the user to edit the DEM file and save the database mapping information.

Data Map Window

From the SETUP window, click on the Map Data button to open the DATA MAP window (see Figure 3-9).

Figure 3-9. DATA MAP Window

On the left side of the DATA MAP window, under Data Element Requirement, a hierarchal list of data requirements is displayed in a tree structure. Highlighting a data element or a data group from the tree makes that the main focus of the right side of the DATA MAP window. The right side of the window contains parameters to map the selected data element to the source database.

Click on the magnifying glass icon to the left of any data group within the Data Element Requirement window to display the contents of that data group (see Figure 3-10).

Figure 3-10. DATA MAP Window Showing Partial Data Requirement

One typical data group contains all the data elements associated with it along with other data groups which are the children of the data group. The remaining data groups and data elements can be similarly displayed by clicking on the data group magnifying glass icons.

The {Selected Tag:} is indicated by the highlighted item in the tree and appears in the Selected Item {Current Tag:} field.

Database Mapping parameters in the right side of the DATA MAP window include:

• Method - the method of access designation indicates where the source data can be found during XML generation. Data is retrieved from the database into SEDD's memory one table at a time. When a table is accessed from the database, it is stored in SEDD's memory. When another table is then accessed, it replaces the one stored in memory. The Select Table Method is required when mapping a DEM tag to a column in a table that is not in memory. The Get Column method can be used when the column's table is loacted in memory. The Select Table Method must be used to load a table into memory.
  
• Table name - identifies the table in the database that contains the column from which the DEM tag will retrieve its data during generation.
  
• Column name - the column from which the DEM tag will retrieve its data during generation.
  
• Criteria - special instructions used during XML generation to filter, join, and format database tables and data. Appendix B illustrates the use of this mapping parameter.
  
• Static Value - some information may not be able to be retrieved from any database source. This feature allows the user to enter a static value for the required data element.

Connecting to the Database

Connecting to the database allows the user to view the source data table names and column names during the mapping process.

Step 1
The status of the database connection is displayed on the top of the right side of the DATA MAP window under the Menu Bar. The 'Database Not Connected' message always appears in red when first opening the window. To connect to the database, click on {Database} from the Menu bar, then select {Connect Database} (see Figure 3-11).

Figure 3-11. Database Connection

Step 2
The Connect to Database window will appear. Enter the Password that corresponds to the user name, then click on the OK button (see Figure 3-12).

Figure 3-12. Database Connection Process

Step 3
The Database Parameters window will appear (see Figure 3-13). The Database Administrator assigns Owners control and access to various tables and objects within the source database. The Owner selection allows data to be pulled from the required tables. The All Tables check box will provide access to all physical data. The All Views check box will provide access to data views. Contact your database designer for the best choices to make.

Figure 3-13. Database Parameters Window

Click on the OK button to return to the DATA MAP window. The green 'Database Connected' message on the DATA MAP window will indicate a successful connection (see Figure 3-14).

Figure 3-14. DATA MAP Window Showing the Database Connected in Green

Mapping the Data

To map the data, follow the steps below:

Step 1
On the left side of the DATA MAP window, highlight a data element group or data element. On the right side of the DATA MAP window in the {Current Tag:} text box, under {Selected Item}, that highlighted data element group or data element will be displayed (see Figure 3-14).

Step 2
On the right side of the Data Map window for {Method:}, click on either Select Table or Get Column. Select Table is used when a table must be retrieved from the database. Once Select Table is used, the chosen table is saved in a buffer area or temporary cache. Get Column is used to retrieve data from the temporary cache.

Step 3
Click on the 'Lookup table name' browse button (see Figure 3-15a) to the right of {Table name:} to select the table name that corresponds to the highlighted data element. The Select Table window will appear (see Figure 3-15). To select from the list of available tables, click on an item to highlight it, then click on the OK button to continue.

Figure 3-15. Select Table Window

Figure 3-15a. Lookup Table Name Browse Button

Step 4
On the 'Lookup column name' browse button (see Figure 3-16a) to the right of the {Column Name:} to select the column name that corresponds to the highlighted data element. The Select Column window will appear (see Figure 3-16). Select from the list of available Columns by clicking on an item to highlight it. The asterisk (*) indicates the selection of all subordinate columns within the table. Click on the Add button to add the selected column to the {Column:} box, then click on the OK button.

Figure 3-16. Select Column(s) from ANALYSIS Window

Figure 3-16a. Lookup Column name Browse Button

Figure 3-16b. Build Criteria Browse Button

Step 5
Relationships between tables and columns are established by selecting {Criteria: }. Click on the ‘Build criteria' browse button (see Figure 3-16b) to the right of {Criteria: } to filter, join, and format database tables and other data, as necessary. Setting relations within this section is extremely important. It is highly recommended that relations are set by someone who knows the structure of data in the database. Appendix B provides an example of how to set the relationships through the Criteria screens using a simple database.

Step 6
If the data element value cannot be retrieved from any database, use the {Static Value: } text box to enter static information. For example, you could use this text box to enter the laboratory name, address, test unit, etc. The SEDD system will save this static information and associate it with the proper data element when generating the XML output file.

Step 7
Repeat the above mapping sequences for all data elements, as necessary.

Saving Mapped Data

To save the mapped data, follow the steps below:

Step 1
Select {File} from the menu bar.

Step 2
Select {Save}. The mappings will be saved to the DEM file associated with the delivery type.

Step 3
Select {Exit} to close the DATA MAP window.

Importing Data Mapping

The SEDD system provides a facility to import mapping data from an existing DEM file that contains previously-mapped information into a blank or mapped DEM file.

Select the DEM

To select an existing DEM file, follow the steps below: Step 1 From the menu bar, select [Option Import DEM Files... Set Old DEM File Other Maps...] (see Figure 3-17) to open the ‘Set Old DEM' file browse dialog box and select the file (see Figure 3-18).

Figure 3-17. Importing Previously Mapped (DEM) Files

Figure 3-18. Set Old DEM File

Step 2
If a new DEM file was generated due to a deliverable type update, the old DEM file name(s) will appear below the menu option [Option Import DEM Files... Set Old DEM File Other Maps...] (see Figure 3-19) as being associated with the deliverable type. The user may select a file from the list.

Figure 3-19. Selection of Old DEM File from Displayed List

Step 3
A message box will be displayed with the message ‘File has been Set. Get all mapping data now? (see Figure 3-20). The user must now choose to perform full mapping (see Section 3.3.5.2), perform selective mapping (see Section 3.3.5.3), or to cancel the operation.

Figure 3-20. Prompt Box to Select the Options for Getting mapping Data

There are two importing modes. One mode imports all of the mapping data from a previous DEM file into the new DEM file (see Section 3.3.5.2). The second mode selectively updates or imports mapping data one data element at a time (see Section 3.3.5.3).

Full Mapping

To perform full mapping, follow the steps below:

Step 1
Click on the Yes button. A warning message box will display stating that ‘The DEM will be updated from <File Path> \ *.DEM>' (see Figure 3-21).

Figure 3-21. Warning message Showing Source File for Mapping Data Import

Step 2
Click on the OK button to import all the mapping data from the old DEM file into the new DEM file. Clicking on the Cancel button will not import any data from the selected DEM file, thus having the same effect as having chosen the No button from Figure 3-20.

Figure 3-22. Saving the Edits to the DEM File

Selective Mapping

To perform selective mapping, follow the steps below:

Step 1
Click on the No button (see Figure 3-20) to set the selected DEM file as the reference file for selective mapping. A full mapping overwrite will not occur and the menu bar item [Option Import DEM Files Get All Mapping Data] will be enabled.

Figure 3-23. Importing Previously Mapped Data Into Existing File

Step 2
Select a ‘data element group' or a ‘data element' from the Data Element Requirement window and click on the Update Mapping button, which is the arrow turning counter-clockwise (see Figure 3-24). A confirmation prompt asking ‘Are you sure that you want to overwrite the edited items?' will appear (see Figure 3-25).

Figure 3-24. Update mapping Button

Figure 3-25. Overwrite Warning Before Importing map Data

Step 3
Click the Yes button to import mapping data for the selected item or click the No button to cancel the import process. The above-mentioned confirmation warning may be disabled by un-checking the menu item [ Option Import DEM Files ... Confirm Update ] (see Figure 3-26). The user can save edits at any time by following the instructions described above in Step 3.

Figure 3-26. Update Confirmation Check Box

Step 4
Repeat Steps 2 and 3 as necessary to perform the required "selective mapping" process.