Object attributes

Abstract

The entity is a supertype. However, all instances of it must be one of its subtypes. That is, you cannot instantiate the supertype entity itself. An abstract entity is appropriate if the supertype serves only to collect logic or common fields. The abstract entity is appropriate because, in this case, it is not expedient for the supertype to exist on its own.

Editable

The related database table contains rows that you can edit. An Editable table manages additional fields that track the immediate status of an entity in the table. For example, the table tracks who created the entity, the creation time, who last modified the entity, and the modification time.

Extendable

It is possible to extend the entity with additional custom fields added to it.

Final

It is not possible to subtype this entity. However, you can extend the entity by adding fields to it.

Keyed

The entity has a related database table that has a primary key. Each row in a Keyed table has an integer primary key named ID. PolicyCenter manages these IDs internally, and the application ensures that no two rows in a keyed table have the same ID. You can also associate an external unique identifier with each row in a table.

Loadable

It is possible to load the entity through the use of staging tables.

Sourceable

The entity links to an external source. Each row in a table for a Sourceable entity has additional fields to identify the external application and to store the ID of the Sourceable entity in the external application.

Supertype

The entity has a single table that represents multiple types of entities called subtypes. Each subtype shares application logic and a majority of its fields. Each subtype can also define fields that are particular to it.

Temporary

The entity is a temporary entity created as part of an upgrade or staging table loading. PolicyCenter deletes the entity after the operation is complete.

Versionable

The entity has a version number that increases every time the entity changes. The PolicyCenter cache uses the version number to determine if updates have been made to an entity.