The relational data object describes a resource in a database. When you add a relational data object to the repository, you import it from a source database. You can change the relational data object definition after you import it to the repository. You can add and remove ports, define primary keys, and configure relationships between multiple relational data objects in the repository. You can change or parameterize the default connection, the database owner, and the resource name.

When you add the relational data object to a mapping, mapplet, or profile, you indicate whether the you want to create a read or a write object. You can configure different run-time properties based on whether the object is a source, a target, or a lookup table.

The following figure shows a sample relational data object in the editor:

You can create primary key-foreign key relationships between relational data objects whether or not the relationships exist in the source database.

You can add multiple relational data objects to a mapping or mapplet as sources. When you add multiple relational data objects at the same time, the Developer tool prompts you to add the objects in either of the following ways:

You can import the following types of relational data objects: