Created by James Hurrell on Apr 16, 2021

Content Enrichment tab

This tab allows you to manage specific tools that can be run before or after an analysis to enrich the content of the final snapshot or achieve a specific aim.

Options and list explanation

Options are valid for both tables (before and after analysis tables):

Use this option to add a new Tool. When you select the option a list of available Tools will be displayed - this list will differ dependent on whether the Tool will run before or after the analysis (some Tools cannot be run before an analysis):

Selecting a Tool will then display the Tool editor.
Use this option to edit an existing Tool configuration. The relevant configuration window will be displayed enabling you to modify the Tool.
Use these options to alter the placement of the Tool in the list. Tools are executed in the order in which they are listed.
Use this option to remove an existing Tool. When a Tool is removed it will no longer be run or be available for configuration.
Use this option to run the Tool - note that this is not a simulation - the tool will be run exactly as configured.
Use this option to drop the results of the Tool from the Analysis Service.

Only available for Universal Importer and Update CAST Knowledge Base Tools.
Table columns
Type Indicates the type of Tool that will be run.
Name Indicates the name of the Tool as chosen by the user.
Will be processed This column displays either TRUE or FALSE - you can tick or untick this option or edit it in the Tool editor.
  • TRUE > The Tool will be run before or after the analysis - by default all newly created Tools will be set to TRUE.
  • FALSE > The Tool will NOT be run.

When a Tool is set to FALSE, this is usually a temporary action. Note that you should delete the Tool if you want to permanently remove it from the Application.
Available Tools
SQL Tool The SQL Tool enables you to run a specific SQL query against the current Application's parent Analysis Service (the Analysis Service can be seen in the Execute tab). The connection used will be the same connection defined for the Analysis Service's parent Database Server - see the Database server editor.

For example, in an Oracle environment, you could send a simple query:

Begin    MyStoredProcedure();End;

Where MyStoredProcedure executes a specific query against the chosen server.
External Program As its name suggests, the External Tool enables you to launch and run an external application either before or after the analysis.

For example, you could create an External Tool job that launches CAST Report Center enabling you to immediately create technical documentation about the Application that you have just analyzed.

Using command line parameters, you can run specific features within the chosen application.
Update CAST Knowledge Base The Update CAST Knowledge Base Tool provides (as its name suggests) a means for users to modify the content of the CAST Analysis Service after an analysis has been completed. There are many reasons for this requirement, but to give you some examples of how the assistant could be used here is a small list:
  • Update links that have been omitted by analyzers when dynamic programming is in use
  • Update erroneous links identified by grep searches
  • Managing specific situations (e.g. Java frameworks)
  • Overcoming specific limitations inherent in a CAST analyzer (for example searching using the parent type and not just on the object name ("class.function()" calls in the Universal Analyzer), ability to handle virtual functions and the ability to ignore links)

As a result, CAST has developed the Update CAST Knowledge Base Tool. The following processes are possible with the assistant:

  • Add a new object
  • Add a new parent link (Belongs To) to an object
  • Add/modify/delete the property of an existing object
  • Delete existing links
  • Delete existing objects
How does the assistant function?

A set of entry tables in the CAST Analysis Service must be injected with the relevant data that will modify the Analysis Service. When the Update CAST Knowledge Base Tool is then run, a specific stored procedure (also located in the CAST Analysis Service) is called which will carry out the update using the data in the entry tables.

The connection used to execute the query will be the same connection defined for the Analysis Service's parent Database Server - see the Database server editor.

Detailed information

For more detailed information about the Update CAST Knowledge Base Tool, including:

  • how to create queries to update the Analysis Service (add/update/remove links, objects and properties; add parent type links (Belongs To))
  • a detailed description of the entry tables in which the data needs to be injected
  • limitations that are currently in force
  • how errors are handled

See the Update CAST Knowledge Base Tool Admin Guide - a separate document that forms part of the CAST Release Documentation.
Universal Importer The Universal Importer is a special analysis tool enabling you to import the results of an analysis carried out with an external analyzer (i.e. an analyzer external to CAST) into the CAST Analysis Service.

For more detailed information see the CAST Universal Importer Administration Guide - a separate document that forms part of the CAST Release Documentation.
Update CAST System Views

This tool will automatically update the CAST System Views (commonly known as "CSV") that can be used to facilitate queries against the Analysis or Dashboard Services (rather than querying data tables directly).

Using these views rather than tables will facilitate the migration of customized queries between different versions of CAST.

Remember that CSVs are only automatically updated as part of the snapshot generation process, not when you use the Run analysis only option for example.
Reference Pattern Search String This tool enables you to run a Reference Pattern against the CAST Analysis Service.
See Also

Tool editor

CAST Website