Getting Started with InfoSphere Data Architect

78 Getting started with InfoSphere Data Architect
A domain model consists of a group of domain data types. A domain data type represents
a base data type that can be restricted by adding constraints. You can use the domain
model to define the domain data types for attributes or columns within logical or physical
data models.
Domain data types are based on base data types. For example, you can define domain
data types for common descriptors, such as gender or grade. IBM InfoSphere Data
Architect can be used to create domain models and atomic domains. These models can be
shared among all team members who are working on modeling tasks. IBM InfoSphere
Data Architect provides the tooling that helps you create and manage domain models. You
can create a domain model from a wizard, either from an existing template or from scratch.
Use the Data Project Explorer to add domain objects, then use the Properties view to
modify them .
The following list details some best practices for domains:
• Group all domains into one or more domain models, so that these domains can be
reused in future projects.
• Create a separate enterprise standard project that contains any glossary or domain
model that is universally shared throughout the organization.
• Create a domain model within a specific project for legacy models that might have
domains that were created before any enterprise domains if they do not conform to
the newer enterprise standard.
• Give the domain model a meaningful name. You might want to include “domain” as
part of the model name to easily identify the domain model in the Data Project
Explorer view.
• Create subpackages (separate domain packages under the root domain package)
to provide a logical grouping of domains within a specific business subject area.
Now that you have created the base logical data model, you have been asked to also store
sensitive information within the logical data model, including social security numbers and
email addresses. Before you expand the logical data model to include this information, you
decide to create a domain model that will secure this sensitive information. Then, you will
create new attributes in the STUDENT entity and use the domain model data types to
define the attributes.
First, let's define a domain model to protect personally identifiable information. This domain
model will help you ensure that the personal information of students is protected.
4.1.1 Creating a blank domain model
Let's create the STUDENT_PII_DOMAIN domain model:
1. Right-click the Data Models folder in the Data Project Explorer, then select New ->
Domain Model. The New Domain Model window opens.