Editing a Class

To edit a class:

  1. Right-click the class that you want to edit, in the tree view of the CSDB, and select Edit Class from the shortcut menu. The Editing Class dialog box opens.
  2. Set the following Class Information properties.
  3. To modify the definition of an attribute, click its name in the Attribute List to select it. The name, length, and description of the selected attribute appear in the Attribute Information text boxes. The Type field indicates the type of the selected attribute.
  4. Type your changes into the Attribute Information fields, and select the Type option to set the attribute's type. Class attributes can be one of four types as described in the following table.
    Class Attribute types and their functions
    Attribute TypeIconUsage

    Expression

    Contains a single line REXX command that is executed during resolution. If the expression evaluates to true, in an attribute named ZSTOP, resolution of the current instance terminates.

    Variable

    A piece of named storage containing a variable value. The variable’s value forms a part of the agent’s resolved desired state, and can influence the resolution process through messaging or symbolic substitution.

    Connection (available)Connection (set)

    Class connections determine the path of resolution of an agent’s desired state during the agent connect process.

    Available connections are attributes into which a connection to another class can be set.

    Set connections are attributes containing a specification for a connection to another class.

    A class connection is, in effect, a branch in the resolution process. For more information, see the HP Client Automation Enterprise Administrator User Guide.

    An Always connection is always resolved, irrespective of the name of its attribute.

    A Class connection is resolved if its attribute’s name is _ALWAYS_, or if the name of its attribute matches the current value of the system message.

    An Includes connection is always resolved, irrespective of the name of its attribute.

    A Requires connection blocks resolution of instances in the required instance and its children whose instance names are identical to instance names in the requiring instance and its children.

    Requires and Includes connection types are useful, among other things, for expressing inter-package relationships, connecting instances of the PACKAGE Class.

    When one package Requires another, components of the required package are superseded by the same component in the requiring package.

    When one package Includes another, both are deployed as a single entity.

    Note: The letter in the icon denotes the connection type:

    • A – Always
    • C – Class
    • I – Includes
    • R –Requires

    Method

    Methods are programs executed as part of the resolution process. The method attribute identifies the program to be executed.


    As you make changes, they are immediately reflected in the Attribute List.
  5. The Properties options are either enabled or disabled depending upon the attribute type.

    You can reset the property settings for the selected attribute to their default values by clicking the default buttons in the Properties group box.

    To add an attribute, see "Adding an attribute to a class"

    For optional attribute editing controls, see "Optional Attribute Editing Controls"

  6. After a change has been made during class editing, the Restore button is enabled. Click Restore if you want to discard changes that you have made to the class since the Editing Class dialog box opened.
    On doing so, the Confirm Restore message displays.
  7. When you have finished editing the class, click OK to save your changes and exit the Editing Class dialog box.
  8. Click Yes to update all existing instances of the class.
    or
    Click No to discard your changes to the class, and avoid updating the instances.
    or
    Click Cancel to return to the Editing Class dialog box.


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