How add Custom Collection Form Tab in Table properties

Question

Hi,
Request :
We would like to add a new tab on the table properties of a physical model.
Example
Explanation :
If we have a table with the following form: CREATE TABLE_1 (COL1 CHAR (10), COL2 NUMBER (6) COL3 VARCHAR2 (20));
We would like that the new tab to be similar to the one above.
This tab should have for each vertical column - the table columns names.
This tab should be displayed only if the table has a stereotype "LOV" for "List Of Values"
For each row in the screen above we will write the values ​​of each table records.
Objective :
When we Generate Database the following SQL command must be generated : INSERT INTO TABLE_1 (COL1, COL2, COL3) VALUES ('', '', '');
We thought to add this command in the .XDB file (DBMS definition file) at table-level category => DBMS :: Script \ Objects \ Table \ Create
and using variables %TABLE% and %TABLDEFN%. But the TABLDEFN variable provides column names and types, "COL1 CHAR (10), COL2 NUMBER (6) COL3 VARCHAR2 (20)." Given that this variable is not very interesting we have achieve our goal with an extension (XEM). In fact we are able to generate an extension that will give us the following SQL command: insert into TABLE_1 (COL1, COL2, COL3) values ​​('', '', ''); following the creation of the CREATE TABLE statement.
To complete with value we have need our custom form tab.

Answer 1

Hi Benoit,
To get a tab with a list, you need object to fill it. In your case, you need to define (in your xem or xdb) a new extended sub-object SAM (stereotype as metaclass) with several attributes (one per column COL1, COL2, ...) -- It could be dynamically defined but you may enter the dark side of xem enhancement -- let's start with the three extended attributes.
With the new SAM, you can create an extended composition on your table, targeting the new SAM. In the composition definition, set the columns you want to display (COL1, COL2, COL3 + whatever you want)
=> You then will have your new tab with COL1, COL2 and COL3 columns
Once done, you can enter values within your tab.
How to add it in the generation ?
In the XEM, create the statement in a template ("filldatatable") under Table metaclass that iterate on composition and use
<<
.set_value(TablCode, "%Code%")
.set_value(ColnList, "")
.foreach_item(Columns)
.set_value(ColnList, "[%ColnList%?%ColnList%, :%ColnList%]%Code%")
.next("")
.foreach_item(DataValues)
insert into %TablCode% (%ColnList%) values(%insertdata%)
.next(";\n")
>>
-- This assume your table has three columns !!! (you can enhance it to fit your needs)
The %insertdata% is a template from your extended sub-object filled with
<<
%.q:COL1%, %.q:COL2%, %.q:COL3%
>>
In order to include it in your sql-generation  you have to instruct PowerDesigner to do so. You use the AfterCreate item that would add some sql after the generation:
(.// is a comment)
<<
.// Because the scope is limited to active XDB, we need to instantiate a vbscript to reach the xem definitions.
.// If the extension is embedded into current xem, a simple call to template would have been enough.
.vbscript()
ScriptResult = ActiveSelection.Item(0).EvaluateTextFor("%filldatatable%", "FillDataTable")
.endvbscript()
>>
At the end, you then have this in data
And this in preview
I attached the xem I made for example (change .txt to .xem)
Marc