7.2

Using the Property Dictionary 4
You can use the property dictionary to dene new custom property denitions and property groups.
You dene a property to support a specic data type and a display control style within that data type. You
can also create reusable property groups to simplify adding multiple properties.
This chapter includes the following topics:
n
“Using Property Denitions,” on page 87
n
“Using Property Groups,” on page 106
Using Property Definitions
Many custom properties are supplied with vRealize Automation. You can also dene new properties to
create unique custom properties and provide greater control for provisioning machines.
When you add a property to a blueprint or reservation, you can determine if a user must be prompted for a
property value and if the property value must be encrypted.
You can specify how a property is rendered, for example if should display as a checkbox or as a drop-down
menu with values obtained from a custom vRealize Orchestrator workow.
You can also use properties to control how your custom workows function. For information about using
vRealize Automation Designer to dene and work with custom workows, see Life Cycle Extensibility.
Best Practices for Naming Property Definitions
To avoid naming conicts with supplied vRealize Automation custom properties, use a standard and
meaningful prex for all property names that you create. Use a prex such as a company or feature name
followed by a dot for all new property names. VMware reserves all property names that do not contain a dot
(.). Property names that do not follow this recommendation may conict with vRealize Automation custom
properties. In that event, the vRealize Automation custom property takes precedence over property
denitions that you create.
Limitations
If you create a property denition where Type equals String, Display as equals Dropdown, and you use a
vRealize Orchestrator action that returns properties that populate the drop-down list, the list is in random
order. You cannot specify the order.
VMware, Inc.
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