ADVANCED TOPIC
Database Table Discovery can be access from the Discover section of the main menu on the Data Discovery tab:
Database Tables make up the core structure of your database. They contain the data records with the values your are trying to access for reporting. Unfortunately, they may not be named in a way you can easily understand.
They were designed when the database was first created and the data architects had their own agendas.
Not all users have the needed database permissions to discover data with this method. Some organizations “lock down” their databases, this is called “hardening a database”. Hardening a database is implemented to reduce misuse of possible security vulnerabilities. One such hardening restriction is to remove the rights to read Table and View definition information. If a DBA has locked users from this information then data discovery with this method CANNOT be performed without elevated credentials. DSF will prompt for the credentials if needed.
Database Table Discovery
All accessible database Tables across all Schemas will be listed.
Check off which Tables you wish to use for discovery and click the Discover button on the menu. Selecting ALL on the list is not recommended. Only select tables that you know holds data you wish to expose for reporting purposes.
Special Considerations
Each Table selected will create a low-level Data Category. If the Data Category exists with the same Table source it will only update the existing Data Category merging in any changes.
If there are any Foreign Key relationships attached to the Table the connected Table will also be processed.
Discovering data by database Table is a convenient way to select Tables individually when you know a Table contains useful data elements. It can also be used when you know Tables have been modified and you simply want to merge in any changes.
The most important thing to remember is that discovered database Tables will only merge changes to Data Categories whose source matches the Table name and any associated tables with a Foreign Key relationship.