Data elements are created from columns in the physical data model. Data elements "belong" to the System Architect encyclopedia; they are not unique to a model, nor to an entity or table. Therefore, it is possible that a data element already exists with the name of a column in the physical model. If System Architect encounters a data element of the same name, datatype and qualifier during the ERD-creation process, it can:
Create a new one using the properties of this one (which will be named [CurrentName-nnn] where nnn is a unique number); or
Overwrite the existing data element definition with the properties of this one.
Note Keep in mind that data elements have many more properties than datatype and qualifier: default, rule, and so on. Overwriting the existing definition may involve deleting the references to a rule and a default.
If you toggle on Do not prompt in the future you will not be asked again, and new definitions will be created for all collisions. This choice remains for the current session only.
All other dictionary objects are keyed by the name of the entity relation diagram. These objects include entities, attributes, relation lines, and indexes. Indicate whether:
You want System Architect to create a new one (which will be named [CurrentName-nnn] where nnn is a unique number) or
You want System Architect to overwrite the existing definition.
