Edit Naming Convention Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to easily edit your Naming Convention using Database Schema Designer.

The first step to editing a Naming Convention's properties is to add or edit a Naming Convention in Database Schema Designer.   See the Naming Convention Tutorial to learn more.

  1. Name and describe your Naming Convention.
    Properties
  2. Edit Database Objects
    The Naming Convention's Database Object items use a prefix and suffix to automatically name objects in the Database Schema.   The Database Objects in the list are fixed and cannot be added or removed, but they can be edited.
    Database Objects


    1. Double-Click the Database Object you want to edit.
    2. Edit Database Object.
      Database Object Properties
      • The prefix and suffix can be any 10 characters A to Z including the underscore.
      • To effectively disable a Naming Convention Database Object you can set the prefix and suffix to blank.
      • The suffix can use '%s' to automatically pluralize the Root Name.
        ie. Table becomes Tables, Category becomes Categories, etc.
      • Check Constraint, Foreign Key Constraint, and Trigger can use the '#' operator in the prefix and suffix.   This operator tells DBSD to use a numbering system when naming objects that typically have similar names.  
        ie. The first Check Constraint on the Table TTeams could be named TTeams_CK1, the second could be named TTeams_CK2, etc.
    3. Click the OK button to submit your changes.
      - Or -
      Click the Cancel button to discard your changes.
    Learn more about Database Schema Designer's Object Naming System.
  3. Manage Naming Convention Data Types.
    Naming Convention Data Type items are used by Table Columns to quickly and easily specify default values for a Column using a prefix.   By specifing a prefix when you create your Columns, DBSD can use the default values from the Naming Convention.
    Data Types


    1. Click the "Add" button to add a new Data Type
      - Or -
      Click the "Edit" button to edit the currently selected Data Type.
      1. Set the name of the Data Type.   It can be any 50 characters A to Z including the underscore.   This is the name that the server will see so be sure it is a valid built in or custom Data Type name.
        Data Type Name
      2. Set the prefix of the Data Type.   It can be any 10 characters A to Z including the underscore.   All the characters must be lower case.
        Data Type Prefix
      3. Certain Data Types require size specifications.   Here you can set the Data Type not not use size, use a specific length, or use a specific precision/scale.
        Data Type Size
      4. If you require an Identity column you can check the box and set your seed and increment.
        Data Type Identity
      5. Determine if the Column is Nullable or not.
        Data Type Nullable
      6. Click the OK button to submit your changes.
        - Or -
        Click the Cancel button to discard your changes.
    2. Click the "Delete button to remove the selected Data Type from the Naming Convention
    Learn more about how to use the Data Types by reviewing the "Quick Add/Edit a Column" section of the Table Column Tutorial.
  4. Click the OK button to submit your changes.
    - Or -
    Click the Cancel button to discard your changes.
WARNING: There is no undo/redo for Naming Conventions.   The changes you make to a Naming Convention can only be undone manually.