How PolicyCenter works with owned arrays

In the PolicyCenter data model, an owned array is an array that is attached to a validatable entity and which has its triggersValidation attribute set to true. PolicyCenter treats owned arrays in a special fashion.

PolicyCenter performs validation based on the validation graph. If an entity changes, PolicyCenter follows all the arrays and foreign keys that reference that entity and for which triggersValidation="true". It then walks up the graph to find the validatable entities that ultimately references the changed entity. In the case of owned arrays, PolicyCenter considers any change to the array as a change to the parent entity.

Consider the following data model:

• Entity A has a foreign key to B
• Entity B has an owned array of C
• Array C has a foreign key to D

Suppose that you also mark both A → B and C → D as triggering validation. What happens with the B → C link?

• If the B → C array has its triggersValidation element set to false, changes to C cause PolicyCenter to validate B and A. This is because PolicyCenter treats the change as a change to B directly. A change to D does not cause PolicyCenter to validate anything. The graph stops at C. Because C is not actually changed, PolicyCenter does not consider B to have changed, and performs no validation.
• If the B → C link has its triggersValidation element set to true, changes to either C or D cause PolicyCenter to validate both B and A.