The Description Attribute is the attribute that best describes (or represents) a Transaction object. For example, in the Customer Transaction, CustomerName is usually the Description Attribute.

In web applications, the Description Attribute usually has a link to the View Web Panel. For example here, CountryName links to the View Country info and OrganizationName to View Organization.

A good description attribute must follow these properties:

• Uniqueness. An attribute can be Description Attribute of only one Transaction.
• Just one attribute. A Primary Key can be composed of many attributes, but a Description Attribute must be just one attribute.
• Meaningful for users. E.g. CustomerName is better than CustomerId.
• Not ubiquitous. Not all transactions have a Description Attribute.

Because of these properties, a Description Attribute is usually a Candidate Key.

Notes

• There can be a Description Attribute per level.
• Not all Transactions (or levels) must have a Description Attribute.

Scope

Objects   Transaction object