History Aspect of the Reference ViewReference List displays a collection of 'target' objects referenced by the 'source' object. This can represent either a <1 : n> relation or one side of a <m : n> relation (*). Relations of the <m : n> type are created as so-called 'Time Related Links' using an auxiliary relation table which also contains information about links validity ('Assigned From' / 'Assigned To') - both current and in the past, which in fact means that the table also contains history information about the links. These two types of validity information interact in the following way: A) The reference list is based on time related links and the target objects do not have their own validity In this case, the reference list 'View' options have the following meaning: B) The reference list is based on time related links and the target objects have their own validity In this case, the validity information contained in the time related links takes precedence over individual objects' validity and the reference list 'View' options have the same meaning as in scenario A: C) The reference list is not based on time related links and the target objects do not have their own validity In this case, the reference list does not provide the 'View' options. D) The reference list is not based on time related links and the target objects have their own validity In this case, the reference list provides the 'View' options but their meaning refers to objects own 'Valid From' / 'Valid To' rather than the 'Assigned From' / 'Assigned To' attributes of the time related link (as is the case in scenarios A and B above): (*) In an <m : n> relation, one 'target' object can belong to several 'source' objects and one 'source' object can have several 'target' objects. For example, one system can be paid by several cost centers but also a given cost center will typically pay for several systems. For more on this subject see the Relation Customizer chapter. The 'Valid From' / 'Valid To' Values Three scenarios are possible regarding the 'Valid From' / 'Valid To' values themselves:
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