For a delegate to be created, there must first be a repository type to which to assign the delegate. A repository must belong to a repository type, and each repository type can have a super repository type assigned to it.

For more information on creating, updating, and deleting repositories and repository types, see Managing Repositories and Managing Repository Types.

A repository is an information system in which business objects reside. Repository names are hierarchical and are defined using web domain name syntax, for example, windchill.deptName.myCompany.com. The name of a repository determines the relative location of its entry in the LDAP directory. Using the internet domain name scheme ensures that all repositories under the same internet domain are located in a common entry in the directory service.

The LDAP entry for each repository contains attributes that define the characteristics of the repository, such as repository type. Every repository is assigned a repository type.

When a repository is created, it is named and assigned to a repository type. A webject processor and task processor can also be selected for the repository.

A repository type identifies the type of repository. Type identifiers, and the delegates that belong to them, are configured to apply to specific repository types. Every repository type has an LDAP entry that defines its characteristics.

The names of repository types are derived from the internet domain name of an organization, formatted like Java package names so that the internet domain name is reversed, for example, com.ptc.windchill. The relative location of the repository type in the LDAP directory is determined by the repository type name.

New repository types can be created if you want to have a custom repository information hierarchy. If you have custom delegates that you want to apply only to certain object types, then create a custom repository type, assign the type identifier of the object type to the custom repository type, and group your custom delegates under the new custom repository type.

When a repository type is created, a super repository type can be specified for the repository type. A super repository type defines a repository type hierarchy. A super repository type is a previously defined repository type. Every repository type can be assigned a super repository type, and any repository type can be a super repository type of any other repository type.

If a particular delegate is requested, and that delegate is not found under the specified repository type, then the super repository type will be searched. This search continues through each successive super repository type until the delegate is found, or the entire repository type hierarchy is traversed.