Application attributes

Aug 14, 2017

You can record information about applications that is specific to your organization in AppDNA application attributes. An application attribute can contain information such as asset ID, cost center, application status, or owner.

The following attributes are already created:

  • AppID. An AppID is a unique identifier for an application such as an asset ID. AppID is configured to appear on all reports.

    AppIDs, tracked by many organizations, might be an asset tag number or other tracking number held in a corporate purchasing system or other application. You are responsible for obtaining AppIDs from your corporate system: You can handle that manually, through scripts that you write, or by working with Citrix Consulting to integrate AppDNA with your corporate system. If you do not assign a value to AppIDs, AppDNA assigns them, starting at 1, based on the order in which the applications are imported into AppDNA.

  • Analyzed Date. The date that an application was analyzed is configured to appear on remediation reports.

To add custom information to applications you:

  • Create an unlimited number of application attributes. For example, to track application status you might create an attribute named App Status and define a list of values for it: Imported, Analyzed, In test, Failed test, Passed Test, In Production.

    When creating an attribute, use the AppDNA management console to:

    • Choose from a variety of data types: Text field, number, list, yes/no choice, date, or RAG indicator.
    • Define how an attribute is to be reported. You specify whether the attribute will have different or the same values for each report; you choose which reports are to include the attribute. Note: Depending on your screen resolution, you might be able to show a limited number of application attributes on the Overview and Assessment reports.
  • Set the value of application attributes. If you track application information in other IT systems, you can set attribute values by importing a CSV file or by using the AppDNA SDK . You can also set values by directly editing them in the AppDNA management console.

  • View application attribute information. The reports that include application attributes will contain a column for each attribute.

To create an application attribute

You must use the AppDNA management console to create application attributes.

Note: Users with the administrator role can manage (add, delete, edit) application attribute definitions. All users can change attribute values.

  1. From the AppDNA menus, choose Configure > Attributes.

    The Application attributes screen appears.

  2. Click New.

  3. In the Attribute definition page:

    1. Specify a Name for the attribute.

      This is the label that will identify the attribute on reports.

    2. Specify whether the attribute value will differ per report or should be reported globally.

      Your selection determines which reports can include the attribute. If you select the Per-report attribute check box, the attribute cannot appear on the Application List screen or the Overview Summary report, which include only the data that applies globally to the application.

      • To report different values for an attribute on the various reports, select the Per-report attribute check box.

        For example, suppose that you are creating an attribute, Tested, to indicate whether the application is tested. If the value for Tested might differ for the various operating systems, select the check box.

      • To report the same value for an attribute on the various reports, leave the Per-report attribute check box cleared.

        For example, suppose that you are creating an attribute for cost center. In your organization, the same cost center applies for a particular application, regardless of the operating system. In this case, you would not select the check box.

      After you create an attribute, you cannot change its Per-report attribute setting.

    3. Choose a Data type from the list.

      The data type restricts the attribute value to a particular input format.

      If you choose List, the Select or create list page appears.

      • To use a list that is already defined, select Use existing list and then choose the list name from the menu.

      • To create a list, select Create new list, specify a New list name, and then type the list items in the Current items in list box.

        To reorder a list or change its members, see To edit a list, later in this section.

      After you create an attribute, you cannot change its Data type setting.

    4. Click Next.

  4. In the Display options page, specify where you want the attribute to appear.

    • Screen: Application List. Attributes with the same values for all reports, including AppID, appear on the Application List screen by default (unless Per-report attribute is selected).
    • Report: Overview Summary. Attributes, including AppID, appear on the Overview Summary report by default (unless Per-report attribute is selected).
    • Reports: Application Issues and Application Actions. To include the attribute on these reports, select the check box.
    • Reports: Remediation Issues and Remediation Actions. Attributes, including AppID, appear on these application reports by default, regardless of the Per-report attribute option selected.

    Consider the space requirements of additional columns when determining which attributes to show in a report.

  5. Click Finish.

    The attribute appears in the selected locations.

  6. After you complete the changes, click Save.

To import attribute values

Note: Users with the administrator role can import application attribute values.

To set the value of application attributes for multiple applications at a time, you can import the values from a comma-separated values (.csv) file or the AppDNA SDK .

If you import applications from a file, as described in Import from List, you can import the attributes at the same time or subsequently. Before you import attribute values, you must create the application attributes. Creating an attribute automatically adds it to the template import file.

Be sure to re-import your template import file after adding, editing, or deleting attributes.

If you use other methods from the AppDNA management console to import applications, you can import the attributes after the applications are available in AppDNA.

To change attribute values

Note: Users with the administrator or user role can view or change application attribute values.

  1. When viewing the Application List screen:
    1. In the Application List screen, select the applications you want to change and then click Properties.

      The properties page appears.

    2. To set the value of an attribute, select the check box for the attribute, enter its value, and then click OK.

  2. When viewing an Application Remediation report:
    1. In the Application Remediation report screen, click Properties.

      The properties page appears.

    2. To set the value of an attribute, select the check box for the attribute, enter its value, and then click OK.

To edit a list

You must use the AppDNA interface to create and edit lists.

  1. From the AppDNA menus, choose Configure > Application Attributes.

    The Application Attributes Settings appear.

  2. Click the Lists tab and then click the list name.

  3. Click Edit values and make your changes.

    • To move an item, click it and then use the arrow buttons.
    • To rename an item, click it and then type a new name.
    • To delete an item, click it and then click Delete.
  4. After you complete the changes, click OK and then click Save.

To rename or delete an application attribute

Note: Users with the administrator role can rename and delete application attributes.

  1. From the AppDNA menus, choose Configure > Application Attributes.

    The Application Attributes Settings appear.

  2. Select the attribute and then click Edit or Delete.

  3. After you complete the changes, click Save.