Data Element - Multi-field Source Data Identifiers

Source data identifiers locate the actual data associated with a data element. The identification process matches the source data identifiers defined in the data element to the field and column names defined within the metadata. In some cases, it is necessary to combine multiple source fields to create the data element.

To create a multi-field identifier, add a field to the source data identifier for each field to be combined, and specify the name or pattern for each field.

When a multi-field identifier is processed, the fields in the metadata must be in the same order as the fields within the identifier. Since this is intended to identify a split field, the fields in the metadata must be within the same immediately higher group level. A single data element can contain multiple multi-field identifiers, but each set must be within a different group level.

In most cases, the use of split fields will be for COBOL or PL/I layouts. If you need to expand the identification to a group level higher than the immediately higher group, you can use the Restrict identification functionality. If group levels are specified on the Restrict tab, the multi-field must be located within the group names specified rather than the immediately higher group.