Defining the Schema Structure

The application receiving the flat file uses the structure that is defined in the flat file schema to read the flat file. This structural information identifies the parent-child relationships between different records in the flat file. By nesting record elements in the flat file schema (adding record elements to a record) you can represent the hierarchical structure of the data in the flat file.

Use the Structure tab in the flat file schema editor to add records to the flat file schema and to define the hierarchical relationships between them.

To define the flat file schema

1. In Package Navigator view, double-click the flat file schema to which you want to add an element. The schema opens in the flat file schema editor window.

2. To add the first record, click the name of the flat file schema in the Name column, and then click

. (You can also right-click an element and select New.)

3. Select one of the following elements:

Element	See...
Record Definition	Adding a Record Definition
Record Reference	Adding a Record Reference

4. Add flat file elements to define the structure of the flat file schema. You can add additional records. You can also further define records by adding child composite and field definitions. For instructions about adding, configuring, and nesting flat file elements in your flat file schema, see Defining Flat File Elements.