EDT Relation Migration Tool

Article
05/18/2015

Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012

In Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, relations can no longer be created under extended data type (EDT) nodes in the Application Object Tree (AOT). Relations that are defined under EDT nodes are still effective, but in a future release they will be obsolete and deleted. The EDT relation migration tool helps you move relations from EDT nodes to table nodes. The EDT relation migration tool is found on the client menu, under Tools > Code upgrade > EDT relation migration tool.

The Representation of Relations

Before Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, relations could be defined under the Relations node of an EDT node, or under a table node.

The following table describes the differences between how relations were handled in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 and how relations are handled in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012.

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009	Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
Both table and EDT relations were supported. EDT relations could not contain metadata such as cardinality and relation type.	New EDT relations cannot be created. Use table relations instead. Table relations can contain metadata.
Table relations could not be used for dynamic links.	Table relations now support dynamic links.
Table relations could not be used for unbound control lookup.	Table relations now support unbound control lookup.
Having both types of relations on a single table could introduce ordering problems in certain circumstances.	New EDT relations cannot be created. We recommend that you convert all existing EDT relations to table relations. To preserve existing behavior, a new property that is named Reference Table has been added to the EDT structure. Each EDT node in the AOT contains a new Table References node that stores lookup information.

Using the EDT Relation Migration Tool

When you first start the EDT relation migration tool, a message may be displayed: The data on existing EDT relations needs to be refreshed. Do you want to continue? Click Yes to refresh the list of EDT relations.

Automating the Migration Process

You can use the EDT relation migration tool to help you complete the migration process. The tool can perform the following actions:

Copy EDT relations to all referencing tables.
Add relation metadata under the table nodes.
- Derive the cardinality from the index on the foreign key.
- Derive the relationship type from the delete action or key composition.
- Determine the role names.
Generate a report of the data artifacts that are affected by the migration, for all given relations. The affected artifacts can include the following:
- Queries
- Forms
- Delete actions on tables
- Data sets
- X++ reports

For examples of specific operations and typical migration scenarios, see the Migrating EDT Relations white paper.

Navigating the Form

The following figure displays the EDT relation migration tool.

EDT relation migration tool

The EDT relation migration tool, displaying the EDT relations for the WrkCtrTable

The left pane displays a list of tables that contain EDT relations. When you select a table in the left pane, the right pane displays the metadata of the selected table that may be affected by the migration.

The following items describe how to navigate the form:

The left pane contains the Table name list, which displays all the tables that contain EDT relations.
Select a table in the Table name list. A list of EDT relations that are used by that table is displayed on the EDT Relations FastTab in the pane on the right side.
Select an EDT relation on the EDT relations FastTab. Details of that EDT relation are displayed on the FastTabs under the EDT relations section.
If the Migration status field for an EDT relation is set to Not migrated, you can select the migration action in the Migration action field.

Controls in the Form

The following tables provide descriptions for the controls in this form.

Left Side Pane

List	Description
Table name	The tables that use EDT relations.

Right Side Pane

FastTab	Description
EDT relations	View the list of EDT relations that are used by the selected table.
Relation properties	View the properties of the selected EDT relation.
Affected delete action	View whether the EDT relation is used in a delete action of the table.
Affected forms	View the forms that are affected by this relation.
Affected queries	View the queries that are affected by this relation.
Affected data sets	View the data sets that are affected by this relation.
Affected X++ reports	View the X++ reports that are affected by this relation.

Menu Actions

Action	Description
Refresh relation data	Refresh the relation data.
Scan test artifacts	Scan the test artifacts.
Migrate multiple tables	Migrate the selected tables. More than one table must be selected. Otherwise, this action is not available.
Migrate single table	Migrate the selected table. Only one table can be selected. Otherwise, this action is not available.

Buttons

Button	Description
Migrate all	Set the Migration action field to Migrate for every relation for which the Migration status field is set to Not migrated.

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