How to define links between database tables AwareIM Documentation

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.

{{tag>Manuals How_To Aware_IM_Basics Database Tables}}
[<10>]
===== How to define links between database tables =====

In //**AwareIM**// you do not define links between database tables. //**AwareIM**// encourages you to think in terms of business objects and relationships between them rather than in terms of linking database tables through a particular column or creating special relationships tables. 

To establish a relationship between two business objects, all you have to do is create an attribute in one business object with the type that refers to another business object. //**AwareIM**// will automatically link the required tables and/or create relationship tables if necessary.

For example, if we want to establish a relationship between the ''PurchaseOrder'' and ''OrderLineItem'' business objects, such that the ''PurchaseOrder ''may refer to multiple ''OrderLineItems'', we can create an attribute in the ''PurchaseOrder'' object called ''MyLineItems'' of the type ''OrderLineItem'' and check “Multiple allowed” property of this attribute (see the “[[docs:2500_config_apps:0700_add_edit_attributes:0500_ref_attrib|Setting Properties of Reference Attributes]]” section).

In addition if we want the ''OrderLineItem'' object to refer to its ''PurchaseOrder'' we can create a matching attribute called ''MyOrder'' in the ''OrderLineItem'' object of the type ''PurchaseOrder''.

See also the “[[docs:2000_concepts:0200_basics:0400_reference_attributes|Reference Attributes]]” section.