External (Shared) Database Connections

External (shared) database connections are connections stored outside graphs, so they can be used in multiple graphs.

Only the connection configuration is shared. If two graphs use the same external (shared) connection, they use the same connection configuration, but each of them has its independent database connection.

Best practice is to place an external (shared) connections into the conn directory.

Creating External (Shared) Database Connections

To create external database connections, see Externalizing Internal Database Connections.

Linking External (Shared) Database Connections

External (shared) database connections can be linked to each graph in which they should be used.

Right-click either the Connections group or any of its items. Select Connections > Link DB connection from the context menu. A File URL dialog displaying the project content will open. Expand the conn folder and select the desired connection configuration file from all the files contained.

Linking Multiple Connections

You can even link multiple external (shared) connection configuration files at once.

Right-click either the Connections group or any of its items and select Connections > Link DB connection from the context menu. Then, a File URL dialog displaying the project content will open. Expand the conn folder in this dialog and select the desired connection configuration files from all the files contained.

You can select adjacent file items when you press Shift and move the Down Cursor or the Up Cursor key. If you want to select non-adjacent items, use Ctrl+Click at each of the desired file items instead.

The same is valid for both the database and JMS connections.

Internalizing External (Shared) Database Connections

Any linked external (shared) connection can be converted into an internal connection. The connection becomes a part of the graph, but the external configuration file does not disappear. In such a case, you would see the connection structure in the graph itself.

You can convert any external (shared) connection configuration file into an internal connection by right-clicking the linked external (shared) connection item in the Outline pane and using Internalize connection from the context menu.

Internalizing Multiple Connections

You can even internalize multiple linked external (shared) connection configuration files at once.

To do this, select the desired linked external (shared) connection items in the Outline pane. You can select adjacent items when you press Shift and move the Down Cursor or the Up Cursor key. If you want to select non-adjacent items, use Ctrl+Click at each of the desired items instead.

After that, the selected linked external (shared) connection items disappear from the Outline pane Connections group; but at the same location, newly created internal connection items appear.

However, the original external (shared) connection configuration files will remain in the conn subfolder as can be seen in the Project Explorer pane.

The same is valid for both the database and JMS connections.