Template¶
A template is a definition that can be used to provide values and structure to a newly created element. It is implemented as a collection of anchored elements with the Template classification attached to the anchor element. The Template classification provides descriptive information about the purpose and use of the template.
When a new element is created from a template, it is linked back to its template using the SourcedFrom relationship so that it is possible to trace the elements derived from a template if an update is required. Templates also have a version identifier associated with them (in the Template classification). When a new version of the template is created, it is also linked to the previous version using the SourcedFrom relationship.
The metadata elements that make up a template have placeholder properties in their attributes, values for which are supplied when the template is used. The specification for these placeholder properties are defined using ValidValueDefinition entities linked to the template's anchor element using the SpecificationPropertyAssignment relationship.
Templates can be attached to other elements using the CatalogTemplate relationship. This mechanism is used by Automated Curation OMVS when it is retrieving templates for particular technology types.
Further Information
- Templated Cataloguing provides examples on how the templating mechanism works.
- Automated Curation OMVS provides a REST API for querying the templates attached to particular technology types.
- Template Manager OMVS provides a REST API for creating new templates.
- The Generic Handlers service takes credit for supplying the implementation if the templating mechanism. This runs in the metadata-access-server.