Association Objects (AO/AL) in OA Framework (OAF)

Association Objects (AO/AL) in OA Framework (OAF)

Association object defines the relationship between entity objects(EO). Allows data access between Two Entity Objects if a link exists between two EO Objects.

In Database Concept, Primary and Foreign key Link can be defined using the Association Objects. It Consists of a Source and destination Entity.

Types of Association Objects 

There are 2 types of association.

• Composition 
• Reference 

Composition - 

Destination object cannot exist independent of its source object. For example, a purchase order header is comprised of purchase order lines,which have no meaning without header record it will be come a orphan record without parent.

Reference - 

When the source entity object only references the destination entity object. For example, a purchase order header references a supplier,but the supplier can still exist regardless of whether a purchase order references it or not.

Behavior of Association Objects

• If any DML Operation is performed on Child Record then that will impact the state of Parent Record also.
• If Child record is locked then it will automatically locks parent record.
• Any Validations first will happen on child record after that parent record validations will fire
• For Any Insert or updates. Parent Record will get inserted first after that child record will get created.
• During Delete it will happen in Vice versa first on child then on parent.
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Naming Standards of Association Objects

<filename>Parent_name_Child_name_AL.xml