A vertical application module often needs to create or update a data model, add domain values to a model, create or update a topology, add workflow definitions, or perform other administrative tasks. A type of plugin called the “structure update” plugin is used to perform these actions. If your application module does not need to perform these tasks, then do not include a structure update plugin as part of the project.
All data model changes that can be done manually in the AutoCAD Map 3D Administrator can be done in an automated way using the structure update mechanism. The advantage of using programmatic structure updates is that the changes are codified, documented, automated and, portable between Oracle© instances. For example, in moving from a test environment to a production environment, the same data model changes performed in the test environment must be exactly replicated in the production environment. If these updates have been performed manually, they would need to be documented, and repeated exactly with no missing or extra steps. The structure update API and structure update plugin allows these steps to be automated, and hence reproduced with fidelity in the target system. A similar and even more compelling argument applies when deploying AutoCAD Map 3D customizations between branch offices of a company, or if the customization is part of a product for resale.