Overriding data type attributes

For each element type in an entity definition, the data model supports attributes that are specific to that element type. For example, all <column> elements have the same set of attributes. All <typekey> elements have the same set of attributes, but that set is not the same as the set that <column> elements have. You override those attributes by using the Override command. Besides the standard set of attributes on a column, the data model supports data type attributes on a column. These attributes are different for each supported column data type. You override these attributes by using nested columnParam subelements in the column-override element.

For example, for the Contact entity type, the base configuration defines a TaxID column in Contact.eti with the following attributes:
Attribute name Attribute value
name TaxID
type ssn
desc Tax ID for the contact (SSN or EIN).
createhistogram true
default
nullok true
supportsLinguisticSearch false
To encrypt the values in this column, which is a reasonable choice for this personally identifiable data, edit the Contact extension in the Contact.etx file. Use the column-override > columnParam command to set the encryption parameter on the column:
Attribute name for the column parameter Attribute value
name encryption
value true

See also

  • See <columnParam> subelement for a description of the <columnParam> element and the available column parameters for each data type.

Override a column attribute

The entity editor in Guidewire Studio supports changing attributes of columns in an entity type.

About this task

This task provides an example of how to override a column attribute by changing the description of the Name column on the Document entity type.

Procedure

  1. Open Guidewire Studio.
  2. Navigate to configuration > config > Extensions > Entity.
  3. Double-click Document.
  4. In the Primary Value column, right-click Name, and then click Override.
  5. For the desc attribute, in the Value field, type a new value.
  6. Stop and restart the application server.
    The application server recognizes that there are changes to the data model and runs the upgrade utility on start up.

Override an array attribute

The entity editor in Guidewire Studio supports changing attributes of arrays in an entity type.

About this task

This task provides an example of how to override an array attribute. The following steps change an attribute on the RoleAssignments array on the Account entity type.

Procedure

  1. Open Guidewire Studio.
  2. Navigate to configuration > config > Extensions > Entity.
  3. Double-click Account.
  4. In the Primary Value column, right-click RoleAssignments, and then click Override.
  5. For the triggersValidation attribute, in the Value field, type or choose false.
  6. Stop and restart the application server.
    The application server recognizes that there are changes to the data model and runs the upgrade utility on start up.

Results

After this change, PolicyCenter no longer performs the validation that usually occurs on changes to elements of the RoleAssignments array.