Links of feature types of the map with tables and links of individual features with table records take part in the operation of merging maps if the variant Whole is selected.
If the line “Links” is selected in the pane of component types, a tree of components is displayed in the components pane. This tree comprises all the copied feature types, their links with tables and default characteristic of each link (see figure 52-4). Setting of links consist in the choice of the required characteristic of each link by means of the context menu for the selected link. Besides, there always is a possibility not to copy the link.
Figure 52-4. Dialog box “Select component for merging”
All links of the feature types of the source map are displayed in the pane, however possible characteristics of links depend essentially on copying settings made at the given moment for the map's layers, tables and queries.
It should be remembered that possible characteristics of links of feature types with internal GDB tables are “Unique link” and “Multiple link” (see chapter 32 “Links between maps and tables”, subsection “Links between map feature types and tables”), and characteristics of links with EDB tables are “Direct link” and “Indirect link” (chapter. 43 “Links of maps with tables and queries of EDB”, subsection “Link mode”).
In the case when the source layer is merged with a destination layer and the source table is also merged with a destination table, and the feature type of the destination layer is already linked with the destination table, the characteristic of the link copied from the source will coincide with the characteristic of the existing link in the destination, and it can not be changed. One might say that in this case the link in the source is also merged with the link in the destination, and the characteristic of the merged link is fully determined by the destination.
In contrast, if a new link is generated in the destination (for instance, if the copying/renaming mode is set for the layer or for the linked table) then the characteristic of this link can be chosen from possible variants admissible for the destination table.
If the destination is an internal GDB table, the context menu includes the items Default, Do not Copy, Unique link and Multiple link.
If the destination is an EDB table, the context menu includes the items Default, Do not Copy, Direct link, Indirect link and Settings.
The item Do not Copy permits to decline the copying of the selected link. This variant is the only possible one in the case when the source layer or the source table taking part in this link are not copied.
Both variants Unique link and Multiple link (or Direct link and Indirect link) presents together in the menu only in the case of generating a new link in the source. In the case of merging the link in the source with a link in the destination, the characteristic of the link is determined by the link in the destination, and the menu includes only one from the two variants.
The item Default in the case of generating a new link propose using for it the characteristic of the source link.
The item Settings is active only if a new link with an EDB table is generated and the characteristic Direct link or Indirect link is selected for this link. When this item is selected, the dialog box “Link settings” is opened which consist of two pages: “Settings” and “Modes”.
For an indirect link, the page “Settings” is similar to the page “Setting fields” of the wizard of merging maps but it is used only for setting of fields of indirect link. The page “Modes” is identical to the page “Modes of linking and unlinking” of the wizard of creating link with EDB table in the case of indirect link.
For a direct link, the page “Settings” allows selecting a field of direct link in the table, and the page “Modes” is identical to the page “Modes of linking and unlinking” of the wizard of creating link with EDB table in the case of direct link.
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