By the end of this chapter you will be able to:

• Understand the difference between Models and Model Views
• Drag existing modelling components into a modelling view
• Understand the difference between 'Remove from Model' and 'Permanently Delete' options

In this exercise, you will try some actions that are common when building models, and constructing model views. At the end of the exercise, it is important that you have understood the difference between a model, and a model view.

Drag existing modelling components into a modelling view

Create a model with Name: Introduction to Modelling 2
You will now add the objects you created in exercise 3 to this model:

• Open the Database Collectors list: press  - Show the list of database collectors in the left-hand menu bar
• Find the Database Collector SOURCE_CUSTOMER_PHONE_NUMBERS - you created this in exercise 3.2
• Drag this into the model Introduction to Modelling 2

You could add the other objects you created in exercise 3 in a similar way, from the list of Datasources and the list of Streams respectively. But instead of this, you will add these to the current model view by using the Show Inputs and Show Outputs functions:

• Hover over the Database Collector you have just added to the model
• In the hover menu, press - Show Inputs; the Datasource you created will appear
• Hover over the Database Collector again, and in the tool bar press  - Show Outputs; the Stream you created will appear

In the model window, press Save the model layout.
Now open the model Introduction to Modelling. The objects you have just added to Introduction to Modelling 2 are still shown. Models are really just views of a selection of objects in PhixFlow, and they show how they are related. Any object can be shown on as many model views as you like; and objects can be linked to objects that are not shown on a view.

Remove an object from a model view

• Hover over the Stream SOURCE_CUSTOMER_PHONE_NUMBERS in the model Introduction to Modelling 2
• In the tool bar press - Remove from Model (does not delete)

The Stream will disappear from the model.

• Re-add the Stream to the model using  - Show Outputs on the Database Collector SOURCE_CUSTOMER_PHONE_NUMBERS

Permanently delete an object

• Drag the stream Practice Stream onto the model Introduction to Modelling 2
• Save the new model layout
• Right click on Practice Stream and select Permanently Delete
• Once you have deleted the stream, press  - Refresh
• The stream will have disappeared from the model
• Go into the model Introduction to Modelling
• Press  - Refresh

You will see that the stream has disappeared in this model as well. Permanently deleting an object removes it entirely from PhixFlow, and it will no longer appear in any model view.