Essentials (Siebel 7.
7)
Module 23: Editing and
Compiling Object Definitions
Module Objectives
After completing this module you will be able to:
Create new and edit existing object definitions
Validate edited object definitions
Archive object definitions and projects
Back up the local database
Compile object definitions into a repository file
Why you need to know:
These are all fundamental activities that occur during all
configuration efforts
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 2 of 26
Editing Object Definitions
Select the object definition to edit using the Object Explorer and
Object List Editor
Make sure that project has been locked
Edit the property
Type in a value
Pick a value from a picklist (if provided)
Indicates project locked Type in a value Select a value
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 3 of 26
Creating a New Object Definition
Select the desired object type in the Object Explorer
Create a new record in the Object List Editor
Create a unique name Select a project from picklist Assign values to remaining fields
Locked projects only
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 4 of 26
Changed Flag
Indicates records that have been modified since the Changed
Date
Is set whenever a record is edited
Is cleared by resetting the Changed Date value
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 5 of 26
Validating Object Definitions
Determines correctness of selected object definitions in the
repository
Includes all child object definitions for the selected parent
definitions
Is based on a set of Siebel-defined rules
Error
Warning User can
enable/disable a
Siebel-defined rule
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 6 of 26
Validating Object Definitions Continued
Select object definition to validate
Right-click and select Validate
Click Start in the Validate window
Violations appear
in Errors list
window Click to access
Validate Options
window
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 7 of 26
Archive Files
Contain object definitions exported from a repository
Available for importing into other repositories
Have .sif extension by default
Are used to share object definitions in multiple repository
development
Are used to back up object definitions
Can be version-controlled using source control systems
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 8 of 26
Exporting Object Definitions
Top-level object definitions can be exported to an archive file
Includes all child object definitions for selected parent definition
To export object definitions
Select the object definition or definitions
Select Tools > Add to Archive
Select an existing (or create a new) archive file
Click Save in the Export to Archive File window
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 9 of 26
Exporting Projects
Projects can also be archived to .sif files
Select the project (or projects) to be archived
Select Tools > Add to Archive
Select an existing (or create a new) archive file
Click Save in the Export to Archive File window
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 10 of 26
Importing Object Definitions
Object definitions in an archive file can be imported into the
local repository on the developer workstation
Appear in the current active repository
To import object definitions
Select Tools > Import from Archive
Select the archive file
Indicate how to resolve conflicting object definitions
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 11 of 26
Resolve Import Conflicts
Set the default conflict resolution
Adjust individual resolutions by right-clicking them in the Object
differences list
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 12 of 26
Compare Objects
Displays differences between selected object definition and
another one:
In current local repository
In archive file
In repository on server
Allows developers to reconcile differences while comparing
objects
Delete individual child object definitions
Copy individual child object definitions in either direction
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 13 of 26
Compare Objects Continued
To compare object definition to one in archive or repository
Select object definition to be compared
Select Tools > Compare Objects
Select type of comparison
Select the archive or repository
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 14 of 26
Compare Objects Continued
Examine the differences in the Compare Objects window
Definitions with
difference highlighted
Differences displayed
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 15 of 26
Compare Objects Continued
To compare two object definitions in the developer repository
Select two object definitions to be compared (by SHIFT-clicking)
Select Tools > Compare Objects > Selected
Modifying definitions is supported
Copy selected control
Delete selected control
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 16 of 26
Source Code Control Integration
Automate integration with source code control for repository
data
Creates archive
when project
Check archive checked in
into code
management
system ODBC to server
and local
databases
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 17 of 26
Backing Up the Development Database
Developers can back up local work by:
Using archive files to back up repository data
Checking in projects into the server in order to back up repository
data
Copying the local database file (.dbf) in order to back up the entire
database
Add to archive .sif
Windows
copy/paste
Server
Check in
Repository
Data
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 18 of 26
Compiling
Compile to produce an .srf file to test the configuration
Reads object definitions from repository and creates a flat file
representation to be accessed by siebel.exe at run time
Compile into .srf file located in the objects directory of the client
application
Database
Tools Application
Repository
Application Object Manager
Data
Compiling .srf Configured
Application
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 19 of 26
Compile Options
Developers can compile:
Projects
Individual object definitions
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 20 of 26
Compile Projects
When starting and at milestones, compile All Projects to
generate a new .srf file
Subsequently, compile only Selected Projects or Locked
Projects for an incremental compile
To compile projects:
Select Tools > Compile
Projects
Select project or projects
Compile into
client directory
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 21 of 26
Compile Objects
Top-level object definitions can be compiled individually
Compiles all child object definitions for the selected parent
To compile individual object definitions:
Select the object definition or definitions
Right-click and select Compile Selected Objects
Useful for unit testing a single changed object
Otherwise, Compile Locked Projects
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 22 of 26
Configuration File
Copy the default .cfg file for the application being customized
Edit it to refer to the new .srf file
Copy .cfg file
Change Repository File
to refer to new .srf file
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 23 of 26
Rapid Unit Testing
Allows developers to test changes in a local instance of the
Mobile Web Client
Run-time behavior when
user compiles SRF
If Web client is running:
At end of compile, browser
window refreshes
User is brought back to
view displayed immediately
before compile
If Web client is not running:
If user checked auto-start,
Web client is started using
debug setting
If user did not check auto-
start, standard application
home page opens
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 24 of 26
Summary
This module showed you how to:
Create new and edit existing object definitions
Validate edited object definitions
Archive object definitions and projects
Back up the local database
Compile object definitions into a repository file
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 25 of 26
Lab
In the lab you will:
Practice editing and validating object definitions in Siebel Tools
Explore the use of diff and archive options in Siebel Tools
Compile a custom .srf file
Module 23: Editing and Compiling Object Definitions 26 of 26
