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Using the Property Dictionary 4
You can use the property dictionary to define new custom property definitions and property groups.
You define a property to support a specific 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:
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Using Property Definitions
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Using Property Groups
Using Property Definitions
Many custom properties are supplied with vRealize Automation. You can also define 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 workflow.
You can also use properties to control how your custom workflows function. For information about using
vRealize Automation Designer to define and work with custom workflows, see Life Cycle Extensibility.
Note To avoid naming conflicts with supplied vRealize Automation custom properties, use a standard
and meaningful prefix for all property names that you create. Use a prefix 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 conflict with
vRealize Automation custom properties. In that event, the vRealize Automation custom property takes
precedence over property definitions that you create.
The following steps describe the general procedure for creating and using new property definitions:
1 Create a new property definition and associate it with a data type that allows for a specific type of
content, such as boolean or integer content. Use a standard naming convention for the new property
name such as my_grouping_prefix.my_property_name.
2 Associate a property definition with a display type, such as a check box or drop-down menu.
Available display types are derived from the selected data type.
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