Originally posted by: Mr wtx

when i am looking at standard typetrees i found identifier symbol at several locations in the tree.Attached is the screen shot.I did not understand from help what it does.Can anyone explain me why it is used.
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Originally posted by: NancyR

From the Info Center:

Identifier attribute
The identifier attribute can be used on a component of a group. The identifier indicates the components that can be used to identify the type to which a data object belongs. All the components, from the first, up to and including the component with the identifier attribute, are used for type identification.

When this data is validated, it knows that, when it reaches the identifier, it has found a specific group. That group, therefore, is known to exist, even if part of the group following the identifier is missing. The Map Designer documentation discusses how data validation occurs.

The identifier attribute is also useful when identifying an object of a partitioned group. For information about using an identifier with partitioned data, see "Partitioning".

In the example you included in this post, the identifier attribute on the GS Segment means that once WTX has successfully validated the GS segment, it knows the functional group exists. If other data in this functional group is not valid, WTX will be able to give specific information about the error(s).
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Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

You're "Mr. WTX" and you don't know what an identifier is? Perhaps another handle might be more appropriate. 8-)

Try running a trace on a map with and without the Identifier selected on an item in a record and the trace file may give you an idea how WTX uses the Identifier feature. Good luck.
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