Data Dictionary

You can use the Data Dictionary page to set or clear the Required attribute for data elements. You can also view the descriptions of all data elements which can be used when designing custom reports for your institution.

SQL Data Types

The Data Dictionary is based on Microsoft's SQL Database Management System. When you access the Data Dictionary and drill down to individual data items, the data types listed in the following table are referenced.

SQL Data Types
Type of  Data Base Data Type Synonyms Range/Domain Storage Size
Integer int integer Whole numbers from
-2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647
4 bytes
Integer smallint   Whole numbers from -32,768 to 32,767 2 bytes
Integer tinyint   Whole numbers from 0 to 255 1 byte
Packed Decimal (exact numeric) numeric (p,s)
decimal (p,s)
dec Whole or fractional numbers from -10^38 to 10^38 2-17 bytes, depending on specified precision, p, which can range to 38 digits. On average, 1 byte of storage is required per every 2 digits of precision.
Floating point
(approximate numeric)
float
(15-digit precision)
float(n), where n is between 8 and 15
Double Precision
Approximations of numbers from -1.79E308 to 1.79E308
Positive range: 2.23E-308 to 1.79E308
Negative range: -2.23E-308 to -1.79E308
8 bytes
Floating point
(approximate numeric)
real
(7-digit precision)
float(n), where n is between 1 and 7 Approximations of numbers from -3.40E38 to 3.40E38
Positive range: 1.18E-38 to 3.40E38
Negative range: -1.18E-38 to -3.40E38
4 bytes
Character
(fixed length)
char(n) character (n)
character (character without a specific size is synonymous to a 1-character field, char(1))
Up to 255 characters, as designated by the n, of the installed character set 1 byte per character n declared, even if partially unused.
Character
(variable length)
varchar(n) character varying (n)
Char varying (n)
Up to 255 characters, as designated by the n,of the installed character set 1 byte per character stored. Declared but unused characters do not consume storage.
Monetary money   Numbers with accuracy to one ten-thousandth of a unit (four decimal places), typically used to store currency values.
From -922,337,203,685,477.5808 to 922,337,203,685,477.5807
8 bytes
Monetary smallmoney   Numbers with accuracy to one ten-thousandth of a unit (four decimal places), typically used to store currency values.
From -214,748.3648 to 214,748.3647
4 bytes
Date and Time datetime   Combined date and time representation. (SQL Server does not have separate DATE and TIME data types.)
Date part: 01-JAN-1753 to 31-DEC-9999.
Time part: Number of milliseconds since midnight of the given date
8 bytes
Date and Time smalldatetime   Combined date and time representation.
Date part: 01-JAN-1900 to 06-JUN-2079
Time part: Number of minutes since midnight of the given date
4 bytes
Binary
(fixed length)
binary(n)   Any binary representation (bit patterns) up to 255 bytes n bytes, even if n is partially unused.
Binary
(variable length)
varbinary(n) binary varying Any binary representation (bit patterns) up to 255 bytes The number of bytes actually stored. No storage for space declared but not used.
Long text/BLOB text and image   Text: Character data up to 2 gigabytes (GB).
Image: Binary data up to 2 GB. The text and image data types are always variable length.
If not null, a 16-byte pointer is used on the data page, plus however many 2-KB pages are required to store the actual length. Text and image pages cannot be shared. A single byte entered in a text or image column requires its own 2-KB page (most being unused).
Boolean bit   0 or 1 Bit data types share a byte with other bit columns of the same table. Hence, 8-bit columns of the same table use one byte of storage. If the table has only 1-bit columns, it still uses 1 byte, although 7 more such columns could be added "for free."

Custom Labels

The setting of the Use Data Dictionary for Form LabelsClosed Select Yes to use the legacy data dictionary configuration for form labels. To modify the labels, go to the data dictionary in the legacy interface of Anthology Student and change those labels. Select No to use only internationalization resources (if configured). To customize English and Spanish labels, download the PO file, modify the label text, and upload the modified PO file in the standard interface of Anthology Student. When you change this General setting option, allow for some time to review the changes and then clear the cache. Note: The UI labels in the help system are based on the labels provided in the system default English internationalization configuration file. option under Settings > System > General determines how form labels are populated and customized. Select the Settings tile > expand System > select General.)

Use Data Distionary for Form Labels

  • If you want to use the label names from the Data Dictionary present in the legacy interface of Anthology Student, set the 'Use Data Dictionary for Form Labels' option to Yes . To customize the labels, go to the Data Dictionary in the legacy interface of Anthology Student and change those label texts.

  • If you do not want to use the legacy Data Dictionary and have configured the Internationalization feature, set 'Use Data Dictionary for Form Labels' to No . To customize labels and message text, download, modify, and upload the PO file. For more details, refer to Internationalizations. You cannot use the Data Dictionary page to modify label names.

Prerequisites

You must have: 

  • To view the page, System - Settings - Data Dictionary - View authorization

  • To add or edit, System - Settings - Data Dictionary - Manage authorization

Access Method

Select the Settings tile > expand System > select Data Dictionary.

Procedure to Edit Items

  1. Select a ModuleClosed Indicates the various categories that pertain to functional areas such as Academic Records, Financial Aid, within an institution. If the list contains Common, it includes fields names common to different functional areas..

    By default, the Common module is selected.

  2. Select an EntityClosed Indicates the name by which the system identifies this entity. It cannot be changed..

    By default, the AddressTypeEntity in the Common module is selected.

  3. Select Apply Filters. Anthology Student displays the Data Dictionary grid.

    Date ModifiedClosed The date when the item was changed. On some pages, it also includes the timestamp for the time.

    Display NameClosed Indicates that this name is displayed on the features where this entity is displayed.

    Field NameClosed Indicates the format in which data is entered and displayed on features.

    LengthClosed Indicates the position of the field. This column is visible only when the File Type is set to Fixed Length in the General Export File Definition. This is required field. Length must be greater than zero.

    Modified ByClosed The name of the person who changed the item.

    RequiredClosed Indicates that the data against this check box is required by your institution and is validated before saving. If this check box is selected, you must enter the information for this entity wherever it is displayed in Anthology Student. The rows with a green background indicate that the check box value can be modified and the rows without a green background indicate that the check box value cannot be modified. If you hover over the rows, it displays Not Allowed icon.

    TypeClosed Indicates the type of data stored in this entity. It cannot be changed.

  4. Use the Search Display Name field to filter the records in the grid based on a value in the Display Name column.

  5. Select or clear the check box in the Required column to make a field optional or required in the Anthology Student interface.

  1. Select Save to save the changes.