To create new partitioned tables using the Data Dictionary tool, you launch the Data Dictionary tool and perform the following tasks:

  • Create partitioned tables.
  • Create fields for the tables.
  • Create indexes for the tables.

The procedure for creating a partitioned table is similar to that for creating a non-partitioned table, except that you must select the Partitioned check box to make the table partitioned.

Assume that the database in which you want to create new partitioned tables is up and running. Follow these steps to create new partitioned tables using the Data Dictionary tool:
  1. Launch the Data Dictionary tool
  2. Select Connect to an Existing Database and then click OK to open the Connect Database dialog box.
  3. Click Browse, navigate to the directory where the database resides, and double-click its .db file.
  4. Click Options, select the Multiple Users check box, and click OK.
  5. Click Create > > Table.
  6. In the Table Name field, enter a name for a table.
  7. Select the Partitioned check box to make the table partitioned.
  8. Click Create to create the partitioned table.
  9. Repeat steps 6 through 8 for each new partitioned table you want to create.
  10. Click Close

After you create partitioned tables, you must add fields, including the partition keys, to the tables. The procedure for creating fields for a partitioned table is exactly the same as that for creating fields for a non-partitioned table.

Follow these steps to create fields for partitioned tables:
  1. In the Data Dictionary tool, select the partitioned table for which you want to create fields.
  2. Click Create > Field.
  3. In the Field Name field, enter a name for a field of the partitioned table.
  4. Select a data type from the Data Type drop-down list.
  5. Complete the optional fields such as Format, Label, Initial Value, as desired.
  6. Click Create to create the field.
  7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for each new field you want to create for a partitioned table.
  8. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for each new field you want to create for a partitioned table.
  9. Repeat steps 2 through 8 to create fields for each additional partitioned table.

After you create fields for partitioned tables, you must add indexes to the tables and then commit all your changes so that the partitioned tables and their associated fields and indexes are saved in the database. Note that as a best practice:

  • Every table should have a primary unique global index.
  • Every partitioned table should have at least one local index that uses the partition key as the leading component of the index.
Follow these steps to create indexes for partitioned tables:
  1. In the Data Dictionary tool, select the partitioned table for which you want to create indexes.
  2. Click Create > Index.
  3. In the Index Name field, enter a name for an index.
  4. In the Index Type field, select Global or Local.
    • If you select Global, select a storage area for the index from the Area drop-down list.
    • If you select Local, the list is disabled. You will be able to select storage areas for local indexes later when you define a partition policy for the table using the Database Administration Console. Just proceed to the next step.
  6. Optionally, select an index type (Primary, Active, Unique, Word Index or Abbreviated).
  7. Select a field and click Add to add it to the index.

    If you are creating a local index, add the partition key first so that it becomes the leading component of the index.

  8. Repeat step 7 for each additional field you want to add to the index.
  9. Click Create to create the index.
  10. Repeat steps 3 through 9 for each new index you want to create for a partitioned table.
  11. Click Close to exit the Create Index for Table dialog box.
  12. Repeat steps 2 through 11 to create indexes for each additional partitioned table.
  13. Click Edit > Commit Transaction and then click Yes to commit all your changes.
  14. Exit the Data Dictionary tool.