Working with Relationship Instances

Connections can be accessed by MQL by one of these methods:

• Specifying the business objects on each end
• Specifying its connection ID

Using business objects works only if exactly one of the particular relationship type exists between the two listed objects. If connections are to be programmatically modified, using connection IDs is the safer approach.

You can create a new instance of a relationship using the Connect Businessobject command or the Add Connection command.

Use the Add Connection command to make various types of connections between either:

• Two business objects
• A business object and a connection
• Two connections

One business object or connection is labeled as the TO or TOREL end and one is labeled as the FROM or FROMREL end. When the objects are equivalent, it does not matter which object is assigned to which end. However, in hierarchical relationships, it does matter. Collaboration and Approvals use the TO and FROM labels to determine the direction of the relationship.

The direction you select makes a difference when you examine or dissolve connections. When you examine an object's connections, you can specify whether or not you want to see objects that lead to or away from the chosen object. When you disconnect objects, you must know which object belongs where. You should always refer to the relationship definition when working with connections. For more information, see Making Connections Between Business Objects.

You can also create a connection between an object and another connection.

You can connect an object or connection to or from a connection if you have to/from connect access on the object or connection. Likewise, you can delete (disconnect) or modify the connection with appropriate access on the object or connection that is on one end of it.

For more information, see MQL Command Reference: Add Connection.

You can view the definition of a connection at any time using the Print Connection command and the Select Connection command.

These commands enable you to view all the files and information used to define the connection. The system attempts to produce output for each select clause input, even if the connection does not have a value for it. If this is the case, an empty field is output.