The data element definition specifies the characteristics that apply to all instance of the data, regardless of what model or entity it is used in:
•data type
•type qualifiers: length, precision
•default value
•check constraints
•data owner
•domain.
The physical characteristics of any data element are always inherited by all attributes derived from that data element. Therefore, any change made to a data element affects all objects derived from that data element. In addition, any change to any attribute automatically changes the data element on which it is based, and, therefore, all other attributes based on that data element. If you delete a data element definition, all attributes that are instances of the deleted data element, and all references to the deleted attributes in all models within the encyclopedia, are deleted.