PowerCenter allows end users and partners to extend the metadata stored in the repository by associating information with individual objects in the repository. For example, when you create a mapping, you can store the contact information with the mapping. You associate information with repository metadata using metadata extensions.
PowerCenter Client applications can contain the following types of metadata extensions:
Vendor-defined.
Third-party application vendors create vendor-defined metadata extensions. You can view and change the values of vendor-defined metadata extensions, but you cannot create, delete, or redefine them.
User-defined.
You create user-defined metadata extensions using PowerCenter. You can create, edit, delete, and view user-defined metadata extensions. You can also change the values of user-defined extensions.
All metadata extensions exist within a domain. You see the domains when you create, edit, or view metadata extensions. Vendor-defined metadata extensions exist within a particular vendor domain. If you use third-party applications or other Informatica products, you may see domains such as Ariba. You cannot edit vendor-defined domains or change the metadata extensions in them.
User-defined metadata extensions exist within the User Defined Metadata Domain. When you create metadata extensions for repository objects, you add them to this domain.
Both vendor and user-defined metadata extensions can exist for the following repository objects: