When adding rules to an extraction set it is useful to be able to ask the question: "This table has these indexed columns, what other tables have columns with the same names" The Index Follower tool is used to identify all tables which have columns matching the indexed columns in a specified table. Once found, the target tables can be incorporated into a rule with the source table.
The DataBee Index Follower Tool
The operation of the Index Follower tool is quite simple. To find all of the tables that contain columns matching the indexes of a source table simply select the source table in the left hand panel. The right hand panel will immediately change to list all indexes in the source table. Indented just below the index name are the other tables in the schema which could be joined to the source table using the common columns of the index.
In the example screen shot above, the DTB_INVOICE_LINE table has two indexes: I_IL1 and SYS_C003048. The table names below each listed index indicate that the DTB_INVOICE_LINE table can be joined to the DTB_WAREHOUSE_STOCK_HK, DTB_WAREHOUSE_STOCK_LO, DTB_WAREHOUSE_STOCK_NY and DTB_WAREHOUSE_STOCK_LA tables using the columns in the I_IL1 index. Furthermore, the DTB_INVOICE_LINE table can be joined to the DTB_INVOICE_LINE_HISTORY table using the columns in the SYS_C003048 index.
The tables and indexes on display are those that the DataBee Set Designer application currently knows about. If the table required is not present in the list or some indexes are not shown, then probably the schema will need to be refreshed. Use the "Refresh Tables and Indexes" button on the Options tab of Rule Controller to reload this information.
Right clicking with the mouse on the the table name (on either side of the display) will bring up a menu offering a number of useful options such as a display of the tables columns or the foreign keys in which it is involved. The Options button below both panels can be used to include the source row count, extracted row count and plan information as columns in the table display.
Making a Rule from Search Results
When a target table in the right hand panel of the Index Follower tool is selected the Generate Rule button will become active. Selecting the Generate Rule button will start the New Table-To-Table Rule form which will enable the creation of a new Table-To-Table rule. The form will be opened and automatically configured. The Create a Reverse Rule button performs the same function as the Generate Rule button but it switches the source and target table information prior to launch.