The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions surrounding application of the Campus Attribute Standard and the Campus Attribute Comparison Report.
Q: Why did the name of my attribute or dictionary change? And why can't I change it back?
A: Your Infinite Campus database includes attributes and data dictionaries which are used to define and control data entry and management. In order to ensure standardization across all district databases in each state, Infinite Campus has created the Campus Attribute Standard. The Campus Attribute Standard will be applied each time you update your database and will correct inconsistencies found locally with existing Attribute and Dictionary values. The goal of the Campus Standard is to eliminate any negative effects incorrect values may have on local database items, reporting and overall product functionality.
Q: The report tells me the Campus Attribute Standard is going to rename one of my custom elements. What does this mean? How can I avoid this in the future or minimize my existing impact?
A: To avoid creating custom attributes which may conflict with the Campus Attribute Standard, users are highly encouraged to prefix the element name with "c_" (i.e., Enrollment.c_homeLanguage). Because the Campus Attribute Standard only updates a core set of attributes, adding "c_" to the beginning of a custom element name significantly reduces the likelihood the attribute matches an attribute being added or modified by the Campus Attribute Standard. Adding "c_" to custom attributes also allows users to more easily identify a custom attribute over a core attribute.
Q: What am I supposed to do with all the No Action items?
A: The No Action report lists attributes that Campus recognizes but are unlocked, allowing the user to make changes to those attributes as tailored to their specific needs. No Action means the user can choose to ignore the items on the No Action report and there will be no effect on your local database.
Q: What if I disagree with a change that will be taking place against my local database?
A: If you have questions regarding the changes that will be taking place on your local database, as reported by the Campus Attribute Comparison Report, please contact your Infinite Campus support representative.
Q: How will these attribute changes affect custom reports?
A: Custom attributes which match core attributes in the standard will be renamed with the prefix of "c_" and the attribute from the Campus Attribute Standard will be inserted in its place. Ad hoc and custom reports that were pulling data from the custom field will now report data from the Campus-owned field inserted via the standard. These reports will need to be updated to look at the new custom field (prefixed with "c_") in order to report data from the custom field.
Q: How will these attribute changes affect custom development?
A: Custom attributes which match core attributes in the standard will be renamed with the prefix of "c_" and the attribute from the Campus Attribute Standard will be inserted in its place. Custom development functionality pulling data from the custom field will now report data from the Campus-owned field inserted via the standard. This functionality will need to be updated to look at the new custom field (prefixed with "c_") in order to pull data from the custom field.
Q: What does value, code, attribute, ect mean?
A: For a breakdown of Attribute and Dictionary terms, see this section of the Campus Attribute Comparison Report article.
Q: What is an attribute? Are there different types of attributes?
A: The following defines an attribute, attribute dictionaries and types of attributes:
- Attribute / Field - A particular data column in a database table. An attribute is commonly referred to as a "field," but can actually be rendered as a checkbox, date, droplist, etc.
- Attribute Dictionaries - An attribute/field that takes the format of a droplist generally contains a set of pre-defined codes/values that relate to it. These codes/values are its "dictionary" entries. Most dictionary values are hard-coded by Infinite Campus and locked from local user customization.
- Types of Attributes
- Local Client Attribute - Local client attributes are those created and maintained by a client. Infinite Campus does not manage these elements.
- Campus Standard Attributes - Certain client attributes are considered part of the set of Campus Attribute Standard attributes (i.e., the core and state-specific attributes created for a client by Infinite Campus). These attributes are usually locked from editing/customization by end users.
