The connection between ARIS and Alfabet is established by Alfabet database attributes. The Alfabet REST API v1 interface is configured using two configuration files. Script administrators can adapt the ARIS-ALFABET-integration.xml configuration file.
This file defines all objects to be mapped to Alfabet objects. It also defines the objects to be imported and synchronized, as well as the login for exchanging data.
User settings
Defines the login to Alfabet RESTful API for exchanging data.
<user
name=""
token="T66JADHPYTWW3A7U2ACUFYUZZU7BPCFL"
accessmode="httpclient"/>
accessmode
User access mode. The default setting is httpclient.
token
User token. This value depends on the user name. Login credentials, Web service URL, and User interface URL can also be specified in the Alfabet integration property dialog of the related database.
If no user name is entered (default setting) and the key for the Alfabet server defined in the Web configuration file for the Alfabet Web application is entered as a token, all users have read and write access to all Alfabet objects.
If a user name is entered, only this user has access to the Alfabet objects according to the privileges provided.
Further information about the token and authorization can be found in the Alfabet Interface for RESTful Web Services manual, which you can download from Empower.
name
User name for Alfabet RESTful API. If the RESTful API of the Alfabet system is configured for anonymous access, you only need to enter the related token. If the RESTful API is configured to be accessed by a user, you must enter both the user name and the password. Login credentials, Web service URL, and User interface URL can also be specified in the Alfabet integration property dialog of the related database.
user
Controls the login to Alfabet RESTful API for exchanging data. The user name, token, and access mode must be specified. Login credentials, Web service URL, and User interface URL can also be specified in the Alfabet integration property dialog of the related database.
By default, a sample token is set. The user name is not entered. By default, this anonymous access grants all users read and write access to all Alfabet objects.
Enter the key for the Alfabet server as the value for the token tag. This value depends on the user name. Enter a user name as the value for the name tag. This means that only this user has access to the Alfabet objects for which they have privileges.
Further information about the token and authorization can be found in the Alfabet Interface for RESTful Web Services manual, which you can download from Empower.
When accessing the Alfabet RESTful API, the login data is transferred with the HTTP header. Therefore, you must ensure that the transfer is encrypted.
Individual mapping
In the <!-- Single object mapping --> section, you can individually link ARIS items to Alfabet items.
<!-- Single object mapping -->
<object
aristype="OT_APPL_SYS_TYPE"
table="APPLICATION" >
table
Name of the Alfabet database table that contains the items to be mapped, for example, "APPLICATION".
The table value must be exactly the same as in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
aristype
ARIS API name of an object type, a model type, or a symbol type.
It defines the ARIS item type to be provided for individual item mapping during Alfabet integration. Symbol types can be used to specify their object types. You can define multiple ARIS item types for the same Alfabet table. It is recommended that you define each ARIS item type in a separate <object> entry.
The aristype values must be exactly the same as in the ARIS - ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
If you want to change the default Application system type object type (OT_APPL_SYS_TYPE), make sure that all the attribute types required for Alfabet integration are available for the object type you want to use instead.
By default, these are the Name (AT_NAME), Description (AT_DESC), Release (AT_REL_3), and ALFABET Link 1 (AT_ALFA_LINK_1) types. In this case, you should also add all Alfabet attributes.
Of course, you can change the object type attributes to be used, or transfer other attributes. For example, if you do not want to use the Release (AT_REL_3) attribute type for the release (version), adapt both configuration files.
object XML property
Each object element defines one specific ARIS item to be provided during Alfabet integration. Thus, each ARIS item type must be defined in a separate object element.
<condition property="ObjectState"
value="Active" />
Value
Value of the specified Alfabet class property to be used for filtering table items.
In this example, the ObjectState property value is Active. The specified value of this Alfabet class property is used as a filter. Only Alfabet database table items of the specified value can be mapped.
condition property
Alfabet class property name, for example, ObjectState.
The specified value of this Alfabet class property is used as a filter. Only Alfabet database table items of the specified value can be mapped.
You enter only one condition property for filtering.
By default, the Name attribute will be overwritten when exchanging data.
If you map an ARIS object to an Alfabet object, the name of the Alfabet object will be used in future. The object name is overwritten in ARIS.
attr XML property
Defines the handling of attributes.
If at least one attr subelement is specified, this restricts the list of attributes imported into ARIS to the list of attr elements listed here.
By default, the Description/Definition attribute will be overwritten when exchanging data.
If you map an ARIS object to an Alfabet object, the description of the Alfabet object will be used in future. The Description/Definition attribute is overwritten in ARIS.
aris
API name of the ARIS attribute type. This name is used as identifier for the attribute from the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
By default, the Name (AT_NAME), Description (AT_DESC), Release (AT_REL_3), and Alfabet Link 1 (AT_ALFA_LINK_1) types are used. Of course, you can change the object type attributes to be used, or transfer other attributes. For example, if you do not want to use the Release (AT_REL_3) attribute type for the release (version), adapt both configuration files.
If you have changed the default ARIS object type (OT_APPL_SYS_TYPE) to be imported, make sure that all the attribute types required for Alfabet integration are available for the object type you want to use instead.
<attr aris="AT_REL_3" />
By default, the Release attribute will be overwritten when exchanging data.
If you map an ARIS object to an Alfabet object, the Alfabet property Version will be updated.
<link
attribute="AT_ALFA_LINK_1"
title="AT_ALFA_NAVI1"
defaultvalue="Navigate to Application in Alfabet" >
defaultvalue
Non-localized default text for the link's title text.
This text is displayed for all languages that are not explicitly specified in the title locale XML property. The title is write protected in ARIS and is entered during the mapping to Alfabet or the ARIS-Alfabet synchronization report.
title
API name for the attribute type of the ARIS link title attribute to be used. By default, the Alfabet Navigation 1 attribute type will be used for storing the link's title text.
This text is entered in the defaultvalue XML property. It is displayed for all languages that are not explicitly specified in the title locale XML property. The title is write protected in ARIS and is entered during the mapping to Alfabet or the ARIS - Alfabet synchronization report.
attribute
API name for the attribute type of the ARIS link attribute to be used for navigating to the Alfabet object. By default, the Alfabet Link 1 (AT_ALFA_LINK_1) attribute type will be used for saving the URL to the Alfabet object.
link
Creates ARIS link attributes as a reference between ARIS and Alfabet.
<title locale="1033"
value="Navigate to Application in Alfabet" />
value
Localized title text.
locale
Locale ID (LCID) of the language in which the link title is transferred.
By default, the data is transferred in English (1033). If you have logged into the ARIS database in another language, for example, German, the values are written to the German attributes in English.
</link>
</object>
<dialog-columns alfatype="APPLICATION">
dialog-columns alfatype
Defines the Alfabet table to be available in the Select Alfabet object dialog.
In this example, the APPLICATION Alfabet table is the source. All Alfabet objects of this table will be displayed.
<column alfabet="Version"/>
column alfabet
Defines columns and content to be displayed in the Select Alfabet object dialog.
In this example Version is the property name to be used as column title. All values of this property will be displayed in this column. Version refers to the attr subordinate element of the APPLICATION table, which is listed in the configuration file. You can use all other properties, for example, Status.
<newlink url="ExternalAccess.aspx?AccessType=ExternalAccess&UserType=Named&View=GraphicView:APP_CaptureApplications_Ex"/>-->
newlink url
Defines the link to Alfabet for creating new Alfabet objects. This Create Alfabet object link is available in the Select Alfabet object dialog.
Do not change this value:
"ExternalAccess.aspx?AccessType=ExternalAccess&UserType=Named&View=GraphicView:APP_CaptureApplications_Ex"
The value represents the static part of the link. The link will be assembled using this and the User interface URL value that you have specified when you connected the ARIS database to the Alfabet system.
</dialog-columns>
Bulk import from Alfabet
In the <!-- Bulk mapping --> section, you can configure the Alfabet synchronization and the bulk import functionality.
<sync
table="APPLICATION"
cxnhandling="ignore" > <!-- values for cxnhandling = ignore, create, createAllowForce-->
cxnhandling
Specifies the default connection handling of mapped connections for this table. This setting can be overwritten by specifying cxn subelements.
There are three possible values:
Connections not listed are not imported. This is the default if no cxnhandling attribute is specified.
Connections are created if either the source or the target object of the connection had already existed before the item itself was imported/synchronized.
Connections are created based on the specification in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file. If the mapping forces the corresponding target or source object to exist, the connection is imported based on the specification in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
table
Name of the Alfabet database table that contains the items to be mapped, for example, "APPLICATION".
The table value must be exactly the same as in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
sync
Each sync element defines one specific Alfabet table to be synchronized. Therefore, each table must be defined in a separate sync element. The Alfabet synchronization can be started manually or via a scheduled report. All objects and relations that are not yet available in ARIS will be imported and linked to the corresponding Alfabet elements. If you do not configure this section, the functionality will not be available in ARIS.
<condition property="ObjectState"
value="Active" />
Value
Value of the specified Alfabet class property to be used for filtering table items.
In this example, the ObjectState property value is Active. The specified value of this Alfabet class property is used as a filter. Only Alfabet database table items of the specified value can be mapped.
condition property
Alfabet class property name, for example, ObjectState.
The specified value of this Alfabet class property is used as a filter. Only Alfabet database table items of the specified value can be mapped.
You enter only one condition property for filtering.
By default, the Name attribute will be overwritten when exchanging data.
If you map an ARIS object to an Alfabet object, the name of the Alfabet object will be used in future. The object name is overwritten in ARIS.
attr XML property
Defines the handling of attributes.
If at least one attr subelement is specified, this restricts the list of attributes imported into ARIS to the list of attr elements listed here.
By default, the Description/Definition attribute will be overwritten when exchanging data.
If you map an ARIS object to an Alfabet object, the description of the Alfabet object will be used in future. The Description/Definition attribute is overwritten in ARIS.
aris
API name of the ARIS attribute type. This name is used as identifier for the attribute from the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
By default, the Name (AT_NAME), Description (AT_DESC), Release (AT_REL_3), and Alfabet Link 1 (AT_ALFA_LINK_1) types are used. Of course, you can change the object type attributes to be used, or transfer other attributes. For example, if you do not want to use the Release (AT_REL_3) attribute type for the release (version), adapt both configuration files.
If you have changed the default ARIS object type (OT_APPL_SYS_TYPE) to be imported, make sure that all the attribute types required for Alfabet integration are available for the object type you want to use instead.
<attr aris="AT_REL_3" />
By default, the Release attribute will be overwritten when exchanging data.
If you map an ARIS object to an Alfabet object, the Alfabet property Version will be updated.
<cxn
property="NextVersion"
cxnhandling="createAllowForce" />
cxnhandling
Defines for this table how the mapped connections are to be handled by default. This setting can be overwritten by specifying cxn subelements.
There are three possible values:
The connection is not imported.
Connections are created if either the source or the target object of the connection had already existed before the item itself was imported/synchronized.
Connections are created based on the specification in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file. If the mapping forces the corresponding target or source object to exist, the connection is imported based on the specification in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
This is the default setting if no cxnhandling attribute is specified.
property
Name of the Alfabet property defining this connection. The property must be of the Reference or ReferenceArray type.
For more information, please refer to the Documentation of the Alfabet Meta-Model Alfabet Reference Manual.
cxn
Specifies exactly which of the relations mapped in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file are to be imported/synchronized.
<link
attribute="AT_ALFA_LINK_1"
title="AT_ALFA_NAVI1"
defaultvalue="Navigate to Application in Alfabet" >
defaultvalue
Non-localized default text for the link's title text.
This text is displayed for all languages that are not explicitly specified in the title locale XML property. The title is write protected in ARIS and is entered during the mapping to Alfabet or the ARIS-Alfabet synchronization report.
title
API name for the attribute type of the ARIS link title attribute to be used. By default, the Alfabet Navigation 1 attribute type will be used for storing the link's title text.
This text is entered in the defaultvalue XML property. It is displayed for all languages that are not explicitly specified in the title locale XML property. The title is write protected in ARIS and is entered during the mapping to Alfabet or the ARIS - Alfabet synchronization report.
attribute
API name for the attribute type of the ARIS link attribute to be used for navigating to the Alfabet object. By default, the Alfabet Link 1 (AT_ALFA_LINK_1) attribute type will be used for saving the URL to the Alfabet object.
link
Creates ARIS link attributes as a reference between ARIS and Alfabet.
<title locale="1033"
value="Navigate to Application in Alfabet" />
value
Localized title text.
locale
Locale ID (LCID) of the language in which the link title is transferred.
By default, the data is transferred in English (1033). If you have logged into the ARIS database in another language, for example, German, the values are written to the German attributes in English.
</link>
</sync>
Warning
For security reason we recommend to use Alfabet REST API v2.
This file defines all objects to be mapped to Alfabet objects. It also defines the objects to be imported and synchronized, as well as the login for exchanging data.
User settings
Defines the login to Alfabet RESTful API for exchanging data.
<user
name=""
token="T66JADHPYTWW3A7U2ACUFYUZZU7BPCFL"
accessmode="httpclient"/>
accessmode
User access mode. The default setting is httpclient.
token
User token. This value depends on the user name. Login credentials, Web service URL, and User interface URL can also be specified in the Alfabet integration property dialog of the related database.
If no user name is entered (default setting) and the key for the Alfabet server defined in the Web configuration file for the Alfabet Web application is entered as a token, all users have read and write access to all Alfabet objects.
If a user name is entered, only this user has access to the Alfabet objects according to the privileges provided.
Further information about the token and authorization can be found in the Alfabet Interface for RESTful Web Services manual, which you can download from Empower.
name
User name for Alfabet RESTful API. If the RESTful API of the Alfabet system is configured for anonymous access, you only need to enter the related token. If the RESTful API is configured to be accessed by a user, you must enter both the user name and the password. Login credentials, Web service URL, and User interface URL can also be specified in the Alfabet integration property dialog of the related database.
user
Controls the login to Alfabet RESTful API for exchanging data. The user name, token, and access mode must be specified. Login credentials, Web service URL, and User interface URL can also be specified in the Alfabet integration property dialog of the related database.
By default, a sample token is set. The user name is not entered. By default, this anonymous access grants all users read and write access to all Alfabet objects.
Enter the key for the Alfabet server as the value for the token tag. This value depends on the user name. Enter a user name as the value for the name tag. This means that only this user has access to the Alfabet objects for which they have privileges.
Further information about the token and authorization can be found in the Alfabet Interface for RESTful Web Services manual, which you can download from Empower.
When accessing the Alfabet RESTful API, the login data is transferred with the HTTP header. Therefore, you must ensure that the transfer is encrypted.
Individual mapping
In the <!-- Single object mapping --> section, you can individually link ARIS items to Alfabet items.
<!-- Single object mapping -->
<object
aristype="OT_APPL_SYS_TYPE"
table="APPLICATION" >
table
Name of the Alfabet database table that contains the items to be mapped, for example, "APPLICATION".
The table value must be exactly the same as in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
aristype
ARIS API name of an object type, a model type, or a symbol type.
It defines the ARIS item type to be provided for individual item mapping during Alfabet integration. Symbol types can be used to specify their object types. You can define multiple ARIS item types for the same Alfabet table. It is recommended that you define each ARIS item type in a separate <object> entry.
The aristype values must be exactly the same as in the ARIS - ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
If you want to change the default Application system type object type (OT_APPL_SYS_TYPE), make sure that all the attribute types required for Alfabet integration are available for the object type you want to use instead.
By default, these are the Name (AT_NAME), Description (AT_DESC), Release (AT_REL_3), and ALFABET Link 1 (AT_ALFA_LINK_1) types. In this case, you should also add all Alfabet attributes.
Of course, you can change the object type attributes to be used, or transfer other attributes. For example, if you do not want to use the Release (AT_REL_3) attribute type for the release (version), adapt both configuration files.
object XML property
Each object element defines one specific ARIS item to be provided during Alfabet integration. Thus, each ARIS item type must be defined in a separate object element.
<condition property="ObjectState"
value="Active" />
Value
Value of the specified Alfabet class property to be used for filtering table items.
In this example, the ObjectState property value is Active. The specified value of this Alfabet class property is used as a filter. Only Alfabet database table items of the specified value can be mapped.
condition property
Alfabet class property name, for example, ObjectState.
The specified value of this Alfabet class property is used as a filter. Only Alfabet database table items of the specified value can be mapped.
You enter only one condition property for filtering.
By default, the Name attribute will be overwritten when exchanging data.
If you map an ARIS object to an Alfabet object, the name of the Alfabet object will be used in future. The object name is overwritten in ARIS.
attr XML property
Defines the handling of attributes.
If at least one attr subelement is specified, this restricts the list of attributes imported into ARIS to the list of attr elements listed here.
By default, the Description/Definition attribute will be overwritten when exchanging data.
If you map an ARIS object to an Alfabet object, the description of the Alfabet object will be used in future. The Description/Definition attribute is overwritten in ARIS.
aris
API name of the ARIS attribute type. This name is used as identifier for the attribute from the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
By default, the Name (AT_NAME), Description (AT_DESC), Release (AT_REL_3), and Alfabet Link 1 (AT_ALFA_LINK_1) types are used. Of course, you can change the object type attributes to be used, or transfer other attributes. For example, if you do not want to use the Release (AT_REL_3) attribute type for the release (version), adapt both configuration files.
If you have changed the default ARIS object type (OT_APPL_SYS_TYPE) to be imported, make sure that all the attribute types required for Alfabet integration are available for the object type you want to use instead.
<attr aris="AT_REL_3" />
By default, the Release attribute will be overwritten when exchanging data.
If you map an ARIS object to an Alfabet object, the Alfabet property Version will be updated.
<link
attribute="AT_ALFA_LINK_1"
title="AT_ALFA_NAVI1"
defaultvalue="Navigate to Application in Alfabet" >
defaultvalue
Non-localized default text for the link's title text.
This text is displayed for all languages that are not explicitly specified in the title locale XML property. The title is write protected in ARIS and is entered during the mapping to Alfabet or the ARIS-Alfabet synchronization report.
title
API name for the attribute type of the ARIS link title attribute to be used. By default, the Alfabet Navigation 1 attribute type will be used for storing the link's title text.
This text is entered in the defaultvalue XML property. It is displayed for all languages that are not explicitly specified in the title locale XML property. The title is write protected in ARIS and is entered during the mapping to Alfabet or the ARIS - Alfabet synchronization report.
attribute
API name for the attribute type of the ARIS link attribute to be used for navigating to the Alfabet object. By default, the Alfabet Link 1 (AT_ALFA_LINK_1) attribute type will be used for saving the URL to the Alfabet object.
link
Creates ARIS link attributes as a reference between ARIS and Alfabet.
<title locale="1033"
value="Navigate to Application in Alfabet" />
value
Localized title text.
locale
Locale ID (LCID) of the language in which the link title is transferred.
By default, the data is transferred in English (1033). If you have logged into the ARIS database in another language, for example, German, the values are written to the German attributes in English.
</link>
</object>
<dialog-columns alfatype="APPLICATION">
dialog-columns alfatype
Defines the Alfabet table to be available in the Select Alfabet object dialog.
In this example, the APPLICATION Alfabet table is the source. All Alfabet objects of this table will be displayed.
<column alfabet="Version"/>
column alfabet
Defines columns and content to be displayed in the Select Alfabet object dialog.
In this example Version is the property name to be used as column title. All values of this property will be displayed in this column. Version refers to the attr subordinate element of the APPLICATION table, which is listed in the configuration file. You can use all other properties, for example, Status.
<newlink url="ExternalAccess.aspx?AccessType=ExternalAccess&UserType=Named&View=GraphicView:APP_CaptureApplications_Ex"/>-->
newlink url
Defines the link to Alfabet for creating new Alfabet objects. This Create Alfabet object link is available in the Select Alfabet object dialog.
Do not change this value:
"ExternalAccess.aspx?AccessType=ExternalAccess&UserType=Named&View=GraphicView:APP_CaptureApplications_Ex"
The value represents the static part of the link. The link will be assembled using this and the User interface URL value that you have specified when you connected the ARIS database to the Alfabet system.
</dialog-columns>
Bulk import from Alfabet
In the <!-- Bulk mapping --> section, you can configure the Alfabet synchronization and the bulk import functionality.
<sync
table="APPLICATION"
cxnhandling="ignore" > <!-- values for cxnhandling = ignore, create, createAllowForce-->
cxnhandling
Specifies the default connection handling of mapped connections for this table. This setting can be overwritten by specifying cxn subelements.
There are three possible values:
Connections not listed are not imported. This is the default if no cxnhandling attribute is specified.
Connections are created if either the source or the target object of the connection had already existed before the item itself was imported/synchronized.
Connections are created based on the specification in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file. If the mapping forces the corresponding target or source object to exist, the connection is imported based on the specification in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
table
Name of the Alfabet database table that contains the items to be mapped, for example, "APPLICATION".
The table value must be exactly the same as in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
sync
Each sync element defines one specific Alfabet table to be synchronized. Therefore, each table must be defined in a separate sync element. The Alfabet synchronization can be started manually or via a scheduled report. All objects and relations that are not yet available in ARIS will be imported and linked to the corresponding Alfabet elements. If you do not configure this section, the functionality will not be available in ARIS.
<condition property="ObjectState"
value="Active" />
Value
Value of the specified Alfabet class property to be used for filtering table items.
In this example, the ObjectState property value is Active. The specified value of this Alfabet class property is used as a filter. Only Alfabet database table items of the specified value can be mapped.
condition property
Alfabet class property name, for example, ObjectState.
The specified value of this Alfabet class property is used as a filter. Only Alfabet database table items of the specified value can be mapped.
You enter only one condition property for filtering.
By default, the Name attribute will be overwritten when exchanging data.
If you map an ARIS object to an Alfabet object, the name of the Alfabet object will be used in future. The object name is overwritten in ARIS.
attr XML property
Defines the handling of attributes.
If at least one attr subelement is specified, this restricts the list of attributes imported into ARIS to the list of attr elements listed here.
By default, the Description/Definition attribute will be overwritten when exchanging data.
If you map an ARIS object to an Alfabet object, the description of the Alfabet object will be used in future. The Description/Definition attribute is overwritten in ARIS.
aris
API name of the ARIS attribute type. This name is used as identifier for the attribute from the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
By default, the Name (AT_NAME), Description (AT_DESC), Release (AT_REL_3), and Alfabet Link 1 (AT_ALFA_LINK_1) types are used. Of course, you can change the object type attributes to be used, or transfer other attributes. For example, if you do not want to use the Release (AT_REL_3) attribute type for the release (version), adapt both configuration files.
If you have changed the default ARIS object type (OT_APPL_SYS_TYPE) to be imported, make sure that all the attribute types required for Alfabet integration are available for the object type you want to use instead.
<attr aris="AT_REL_3" />
By default, the Release attribute will be overwritten when exchanging data.
If you map an ARIS object to an Alfabet object, the Alfabet property Version will be updated.
<cxn
property="NextVersion"
cxnhandling="createAllowForce" />
cxnhandling
Defines for this table how the mapped connections are to be handled by default. This setting can be overwritten by specifying cxn subelements.
There are three possible values:
The connection is not imported.
Connections are created if either the source or the target object of the connection had already existed before the item itself was imported/synchronized.
Connections are created based on the specification in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file. If the mapping forces the corresponding target or source object to exist, the connection is imported based on the specification in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file.
This is the default setting if no cxnhandling attribute is specified.
property
Name of the Alfabet property defining this connection. The property must be of the Reference or ReferenceArray type.
For more information, please refer to the Documentation of the Alfabet Meta-Model Alfabet Reference Manual.
cxn
Specifies exactly which of the relations mapped in the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml file are to be imported/synchronized.
<link
attribute="AT_ALFA_LINK_1"
title="AT_ALFA_NAVI1"
defaultvalue="Navigate to Application in Alfabet" >
defaultvalue
Non-localized default text for the link's title text.
This text is displayed for all languages that are not explicitly specified in the title locale XML property. The title is write protected in ARIS and is entered during the mapping to Alfabet or the ARIS-Alfabet synchronization report.
title
API name for the attribute type of the ARIS link title attribute to be used. By default, the Alfabet Navigation 1 attribute type will be used for storing the link's title text.
This text is entered in the defaultvalue XML property. It is displayed for all languages that are not explicitly specified in the title locale XML property. The title is write protected in ARIS and is entered during the mapping to Alfabet or the ARIS - Alfabet synchronization report.
attribute
API name for the attribute type of the ARIS link attribute to be used for navigating to the Alfabet object. By default, the Alfabet Link 1 (AT_ALFA_LINK_1) attribute type will be used for saving the URL to the Alfabet object.
link
Creates ARIS link attributes as a reference between ARIS and Alfabet.
<title locale="1033"
value="Navigate to Application in Alfabet" />
value
Localized title text.
locale
Locale ID (LCID) of the language in which the link title is transferred.
By default, the data is transferred in English (1033). If you have logged into the ARIS database in another language, for example, German, the values are written to the German attributes in English.
</link>
</sync>
The objects for which a mapping to Alfabet can be created in ARIS Architect and ARIS Connect are defined in this file. You can also configure the login for exchanging data here. This configuration file defines the linking of individual ARIS items to Alfabet items, the Alfabet synchronization, and the bulk import functionality.
Alfabet integration is available for objects of the Application system type type by default. If you want to define other ARIS object types, you must create additional <object>…</object> entries. Use the ARIS-ALFABET-mapping.xml configuration file as a guide for entering the attribute types.
Make sure that the defined attribute types are available for each object type.
This file defines the general mapping for models, connections, and assignments. It handles the data transfer between ARIS and Alfabet. Generally, Alfabet tables are mapped to ARIS objects. Alfabet tables are mapped using the table XML property. The import of an entire table or the import/connection of a single Alfabet object is performed using the following import definition.
Table element
<table name="VALUENODE"
arisgroupname="Values"
condition="Stereotype"
aristype="OT_FUNC_INST">
aristype
ARIS API name of an object type, a model type, or a symbol type.
condition
Defines a conditional mapping based on a property's value. The example above shows a mapping that is based on the Stereotype property. If the value is specified and corresponds to one of the values listed as a value in the condition elements below, it is mapped according to what the condition element defines, and NOT according to what the table element defines.
arisgroupname
Name of the ARIS database group.
If the entire table is imported, arisgroupname is the name of the subgroup to be created for the table content.
If arisgroupname is empty or not specified, no subgroup will be created.
name
Alfabet table name, for example, VALUENODE.
<condition
value="Initiative"
arisgroupname="Initiatives"
aristype="ST_INITIATIVE" />
aristype
ARIS API name of the ARIS object type to be used. If an ARIS symbol type is specified here, the object type is derived from the symbol. In addition, the default symbol of the imported item is set to this symbol type.
arisgroupname
Optionally overwrites the default group name of the <table> element for items meeting this condition.
value
Property value specifying that this condition is to be applied.
condition
Defines a conditional mapping based on a property's value. The example above shows a mapping that is based on the Stereotype property. If the value is specified and corresponds to one of the values listed as a value in the condition elements below, it is mapped according to what the condition element defines, and NOT according to what the table element defines.
<condition value="Vision" arisgroupname="Visions" aristype="ST_VISION" />
<condition value="Business Requirement" arisgroupname="Business Requirements" aristype="ST_REQUIREMENT" />
<condition value="Architecture Requirement" arisgroupname="Architecture Requirements" aristype="ST_REQUIREMENT" />
All XML properties
name
Alfabet table name, for example, VALUENODE.
arisgroupname
Name of the ARIS database group.
If the entire table is imported, arisgroupname is the name of the subgroup to be created for the table content.
If arisgroupname is empty or not specified, no subgroup will be created.
aristype
ARIS API name of an object type, a model type, or a symbol type.
overview-model
Optionally creates an overview model and places an occurrence of each table object that meets this condition in the model.
check-master
Checks for the existence of the provided Alfabet attribute, and searches the ARIS database for an object with this GUID. If available, the ARIS object is identified and used as the master instead of the Alfabet object, for example,
check-master="ARIS_GUID"
The attributes and properties of the master object are not overwritten by the import and a master is not removed if theobject has been deleted in Alfabet.
condition
Defines a conditional mapping based on a property's value. The example above shows a mapping that is based on the Stereotype property. If the value is specified and corresponds to one of the values listed as a value in the condition elements below, it is mapped according to what the condition element defines, and NOT according to what the table element defines.
value
Property value specifying that this condition is to be applied.
aristype
ARIS API name of the ARIS object type to be used. If an ARIS symbol type is specified here, the object type is derived from the symbol. In addition, the default symbol of the imported item is set to this symbol type.
arisgroupname
Optionally overwrites the default group name of the <table> element for items meeting this condition.
overview-model
Optionally creates an overview model and places an occurrence of each table object that meets this condition in the model.
'assign' subelement of a 'table' element
Creates an assignment for all objects that are imported from this table.
All XML properties
type
Creates one assigned model per imported object. Cannot be used as table subelement.
model
API name for the model type of the ARIS model to be assigned, for example, MT_APPL_SYS_TYPE_DGM.
child-symbol
API name for the symbol type of the ARIS object used in the assigned model, for example, ST_APPL_SYST_TYPE.
Not used if the referenced element is the model itself.
add-parent
Adds an occurrence of the superior object to the assigned model.
The default setting is false.
If you change it to true, an occurrence of the superior object will be added to the assigned model. Therefore, the parent-symbol attribute is mandatory.
parent-symbol
API name for the symbol type of the superior ARIS object used in the assigned model, for example, ST_APPL_SYS_TYPE.
Required only if the add-parent attribute is set to true.
'attr' subelement
Maps an Alfabet property value, for example , String, Date, etc. Reference or ReferenceArray properties are not allowed here.
<attr
alfabet="StartDate"
condition="Status"
value="Evaluation"
aris="AT_EVALUATION_START" />
value
Value to be checked against the value of the condition XML property for conditional attribute import.
condition
Property that has to be checked against the value. Only if the value of the property equals the given value is the attribute imported.
alfabet
Name of the Alfabet property.
attr XML property
Defines the handling of attributes.
If at least one attr subelement is specified, this restricts the list of attributes imported into ARIS to the list of attr elements listed here.
<attr alfabet="EndDate" condition="Status" value="Evaluation" aris="AT_EVALUATION_END" />
<attr alfabet="StartDate" condition="Status" value="Pilot" aris="AT_TO_BE_PHASED_IN_START" />
<attr alfabet="EndDate" condition="Status" value="Pilot" aris="AT_TO_BE_PHASED_IN_END" />
In this case, the value of the "StartDate" property is written to the aris attribute "AT_EVALUATION_START" only if the alfabet property "Status" has the value "Evaluation", etc.
When used as a subelement of the <cxn> element (see below), the property is mapped to an attribute of the connection.
All XML properties
attr XML property
Defines the handling of attributes.
If at least one attr subelement is specified, this restricts the list of attributes imported into ARIS to the list of attr elements listed here.
alfabet
Name of the Alfabet property.
XML properties for conditional attribute import
condition
Property that has to be checked against the value. Only if the value of the property equals the given value is the attribute imported.
value
Value to be checked against the value of the condition XML property for conditional attribute import.
'cxn' subelement
Creates a connection definition and/or an assignment between the current table item and the referenced item.
All XML properties
property XML property
Name of the Alfabet property. The property must be of the Reference or ReferenceArray type.
For more information, refer to the Documentation of the Alfabet Meta-Model (Alfabet reference manual).
cxntype
API name of the ARIS connection type.
Empty string (""): not mapped/ignored.
Value="-1": do not create a connection. Is allowed only if an assignment definition is available as a subelement.
srctotarget
Defines the direction of a connection.
Value true:
From class element to referenced element.
Value false:
From referenced element to class element.
forceexist
Specifies whether or not the import forces the target/source object of a referenced object to exist in the database. If the value is set to true, the target/source object will be created using the mapping definition of the referenced object. Only if the target/source object exists will a connection be imported. Whether the target object or the source object must exist depends on the value specified in the srctotarge XML property
The default value is false.
make-parent-group
Specifies that the group containing the referenced element will become the superior group of the element in question.
This requires the parent mapping to be set to isgroup="true".
connected-objtype
Used to validate the source/target object type. An exception is thrown during import if the type of the existing object is identified to be invalid.
overview-model
Creates an occurrence of the target object and the corresponding connection in the overview model if the overview-model property is specified at the table element.
The value corresponds to the symbol type number (see API name).
assigned-model
Creates an occurrence of the target object and the corresponding connection in the assigned model if the table element has an assigned subelement.
The value corresponds to the symbol type number (see API name).
'assign' subelement of a 'cxn' element
Creates an assignment to a model either in addition to a connection, instead of a connection, or to a model if the referenced item is a model derived from an additional Alfabet table.
All XML properties
type
Type of the assignment. Possible values are:
all
Assigns them all to the superior item in one model.
each
Assigns one model per subordinate item.
model
API name for the model type of the ARIS model to be assigned, for example, MT_APPL_SYS_TYPE_DGM.
child-symbol
API name for the symbol type of the ARIS object used in the assigned model, for example, ST_APPL_SYST_TYPE.
Not used if the referenced element is the model itself.
add-parent
Adds an occurrence of the superior object to the assigned model.
The default setting is false.
If you change it to true, an occurrence of the superior object will be added to the assigned model. Therefore, the parent-symbol attribute is mandatory.
parent-symbol
API name for the symbol type of the superior ARIS object used in the assigned model, for example, ST_APPL_SYS_TYPE.
Required only if the add-parent attribute is set to true.
srctotarget
Optionally defines the assignment's direction.
Value true (default value):
From table element to referenced element.
Value false:
From referenced element to table element.
group (depending on srctotarget)
Optionally defines in which database group the assigned model is created. source is the group of the table element, target is the group of the connected element.
Value source (default value):
Database group where the source table element of the assignment is stored.
Value target:
Database group where the connected table element of the assignment is stored.
'foreignattr' subelement of a 'cxn' element
Adds attributes from an additional Alfabet table to the imported ARIS item.
All XML properties
table
Name of the additional Alfabet table.
property
Name of the property of the additional table that refers to the current table element, for example, Owner.
In example 3 of the mapping examples, the foreignattr element, which is a list of attr elements, is accepted. This list defines the attributes to be imported.
Example 1
This example shows how a table is mapped to an object definition and how (value) properties are mapped to ARIS attributes. Additionally, it is possible to create an overview model and place an occurrence of each object from this table into the model. A Reference or ReferenceArray property can be mapped to a connection, an assignment, or to a connection plus an assignment. Value properties can be mapped to a connection, an assignment, or to both at the same time. Value properties can be assigned to a created connection instead of being assigned to the object itself.
<table name="APPLICATIONGROUP" arisgroupname="Application groups" aristype="OT_APPL_SYS_CLS" isgroup="true" overview-model="MT_APPL_SYS_TYPE_DGM,ST_APPL_SYS_CLS">
<attr alfabet="name" aris="AT_NAME" />
<attr alfabet="description" aris="AT_DESC" />
<attr alfabet="a_size" aris="" /> <!-- not mapped-->
...
<cxn property="belongsto" cxntype="CT_CAN_SUBS_2" srctotarget="false" />
<!-- overview-model="ST_APPL_SYS_CLS" means: show in overview model with its CXN and the given symbol -->
<!-- an attr element within a cxn element maps an attribute from the Alfabet table to the cxn -->
<cxn property="belongsto" cxntype="CT_CAN_SUBS_2" srctotarget="false" connected-objtype="OT_APPL_SYS_CLS" overview-model="ST_APPL_SYS_CLS" ordernum="1" >
<attr alfabet="refstr" aris="AT_EXTERNAL_ID" />
</cxn>
<cxn property="applications" cxntype="CT_BELONGS_TO_CLS" srctotarget="true" >
<!-- "each" would mean 1 assignment per child, all=assign them all to the parent in one model -->
<!-- add-parent: assignment contains occ of the parent. This needs: parent-symbol="ST_APPL_SYS_CLS" -->
<assign type="all" model="MT_APPL_SYS_TYPE_DGM" add-parent="true" parent-symbol="ST_APPL_SYS_CLS" child-symbol="ST_APPL_SYS_TYPE" />
</cxn>
<cxn property="processes" /> <!-- not mapped-->
</table>
Example 2
This example shows the mapping to an object to with a model is assigned. Additionally, an object occurrence is created in the target model.
<table name="BUSINESSPROCESS" arisgroupname="Business processes" aristype="OT_FUNC" isgroup="true" overview-model="MT_VAL_ADD_CHN_DGM,ST_VAL_ADD_CHN_SML_2" check-master="ARIS_GUID" >
<!-- "each" would mean 1 assignment per child, all=assign them all to the parent in one model -->
<!-- add-parent: assignment contains occ of the parent. This needs: parent-symbol="ST_APPL_SYS_CLS" -->
<assign type="each" model="MT_FUNC_ALLOC_DGM" add-parent="true" parent-symbol="ST_VAL_ADD_CHN_SML_2" child-symbol="ST_FUNC" />
<attr alfabet="name" aris="AT_NAME" />
<attr alfabet="shortname" aris="AT_REM" />
...
<cxn property="belongsto" srctotarget="false" cxntype="CT_IS_PRCS_ORNT_SUPER" overview-model="ST_VAL_ADD_CHN_SML_2" /> <!-- BusinessProcess–>
<createocc property="model" symbol="ST_VAL_ADD_CHN_SML_2" forceexist="false" /> <!-- creates occ in the model if the model exists -->
<cxn property="executingorganizations" srctotarget="false" cxntype="CT_EXEC_1" forceexist="true" assigned-model="ST_ORG_UNIT_2" />
<cxn property="applications" srctotarget="false" cxntype="CT_CAN_SUPP_1" forceexist="true" assigned-model="ST_APPL_SYS_TYPE"/>
...
</table>
Example 3
In the following example, the foreignattr property, which is a list of attr properties, is accepted. This list defines the attributes to be imported. The example shows the usage of foreign attributes and attribute conditions. Foreign attributes are read from the additional Alfabet table.
<table name="APPLICATION" arisgroupname="Application" aristype="OT_APPL_SYS_TYPE" isgroup="false" overview-model="MT_APPL_SYS_TYPE_DGM,ST_APPL_SYS_TYPE">
<foreignattr table="TIMESTATUS" property="Owner"> <!-- Select * from TIMESTATUS where Owner = '<our AlfabetID>'. Will be written after processing "normal" attr-Elements, so will probably overwrite them -->
property
Name of the property of the additional table that refers to the current table element, for example, Owner.
<attr alfabet="StartDate" condition="Status" value="Evaluation" aris="AT_EVALUATION_START" />
<attr alfabet="EndDate" condition="Status" value="Evaluation" aris="AT_EVALUATION_END" />
<attr alfabet="StartDate" condition="Status" value="Pilot" aris="AT_TO_BE_PHASED_IN_START" />
<attr alfabet="EndDate" condition="Status" value="Pilot" aris="AT_TO_BE_PHASED_IN_END" />
<attr alfabet="StartDate" condition="Status" value="Production" aris="AT_STANDARD_START" />
<attr alfabet="EndDate" condition="Status" value="Production" aris="AT_STANDARD_END" />
<attr alfabet="StartDate" condition="Status" value="Limited Production" aris="" /> <!-- tbd -->
<attr alfabet="EndDate" condition="Status" value="Limited Production" aris="" />
<attr alfabet="StartDate" condition="Status" value="Retired - Shut Down" aris="AT_TO_BE_PHASED_OUT_START" />
<attr alfabet="EndDate" condition="Status" value="Retired - Shut Down" aris="AT_TO_BE_PHASED_OUT_END" />
</foreignattr>
<attr alfabet="Name" aris="AT_NAME" />
<attr alfabet="ObjectState" aris="AT_REM" />
<attr alfabet="Description" aris="AT_DESC" />
...
<cxn property="NextVersion" cxntype="CT_IS_PRED_OF" srctotarget="true" forceexist="true" connected-objtype="OT_APPL_SYS_TYPE" overview-model="ST_APPL_SYS_TYPE"/>
<cxn property="ApplicationGroups" cxntype="CT_BELONGS_TO_CLS" srctotarget="true" forceexist="true" connected-objtype="OT_APPL_SYS_CLS" />
<cxn property="ICTObject" cxntype="CT_GENERAL" srctotarget="false" forceexist="true" connected-objtype="OT_APPL_SYS_TYPE" overview-model="ST_APPL_SYS_TYPE"/>
<cxn property="Products" />
...
</table>
See also
Mapping syntax for tables defining connections only
Mapping syntax for tables defining models
Mapping syntax for tables defining process support maps (PSM)
Mapping syntax for tables defining process support units (PSU)
This configuration file defines the mapping between ARIS and Alfabet objects. The file controls how Alfabet objects are actually mapped in ARIS.
If you want to change the object type attributes to be used, or transfer different attributes, adapt both configuration files.