Dependent objects are objects that are used by other objects. For example, you create a mapplet that contains a non-reusable Expression transformation. The mapplet is the parent object. The Expression transformation is a dependent object of the mapplet.

The Developer tool creates instances of objects when you use reusable objects within a parent object. For example, you create a mapping with a reusable Lookup transformation. The mapping is the parent object. It contains an instance of the Lookup transformation.

An object can contain instances of dependent objects that exist in other projects. To view dependent object instances from other projects, you must have read permission on the other projects. To edit dependent object instances from other projects, you must have write permission on the parent object project and read permission on the other projects.