Classification allows you to define dynamic product attributes, in contrast to the static attributes created when modifying or extending the product type. The terms dynamic and static refer to whether these attributes are always present in a given product; static attributes can’t be added or removed while the system is running, but dynamic attributes can, using Backoffice. This is a typical Product Manager task.
Note
The simplicity of adding dynamic attributes at runtime contrasts with modifications to the product type, which requires the intervention of a software developer and redeployment of your commerce site.
We refer to classification-based attributes as features, but they are also called category features or classification attributes – all these terms mean the same thing.
Using classification means defining and allocating features to products based on their position in the classification hierarchy. A set of features is assigned to a classifying category and then either directly or indirectly inherited by products under this category.
Directly: A product is directly assigned to a classifying category and gains its features (classification attributes).
Indirectly: When assigning a classifying category as a parent to a product category, its features are dynamically assigned to all products in this category, as well as those in its subcategories.
Classification Concepts
Classifying categories and their features are defined in a classification system, managed in its own catalog, independent of the product catalogs. This facilitates frequently adding or removing features.
The classification catalog, like other catalogs, could contain multiple versions, but contains only one active version, identified by a number: 1.0. It does not need to be synchronized; synchronizing the product catalog will mirror the classification attribute values of Staging products to their Online counterparts.
The online documentation will often refer to the classification catalog as a Classification System.
The flexibility of being able to dynamically add or delete features limits the number of types allowed:
| Feature Descriptor Type | Allows display of |
|---|---|
| String | Descriptions and values in text form |
| Number | Numerical values |
| Boolean | Boolean values selectable via radio buttons (Yes, No, and n/a) |
| ValueList | Predefined value(s) selectable via a drop-down menu |
Regular Category vs Classifying Category
Let’s clarify the difference between a regular category and a classifying category.
A category is a logical group of products. For example, all staff pool cars can be found in the category "staff pool". Categories can be referenced in the storefront from the navigation bar, assigned a facet, or used in a discount rule. We covered regular categories when we were talking about the Product catalog structure earlier in this course.
A classifying category is—in simple terms—a container of attributes (features).
While products could be assigned directly to a classifying category, this is not normally done. Instead, a classifying category is assigned as the parent of a regular category, and all the products in that category (or its subcategories) inherit the classification attributes.
The only exception arises when a category inherits from two classifying categories, one of them a direct parent, and the other inherited from higher up in the inheritance tree; in that case, direct classification overrides inherited classification.
For example, consider the following diagram. In it, regular categories Racing, Taxi, Delivery, and Dealership should inherit the classification attributes contract and duration from the Financing classifying category, since it’s a parent of their own supercategory, Cars R Us. And that’s what happens for the products in the Delivery and Dealership categories. But the Racing and Taxi categories are directly classified by Sponsored. Since it’s a closer parent, it overrides Financing, causing the products under the Racing and Taxi categories to lose the contract and duration attributes, and instead gain a logo attribute.
Note
The rule of thumb: Direct classification overwrites inherited classification.Adding Classification Features to a Product
Reassigning a Product
Features are only granted because an item falls under a certain Classifying Category.
If you delete the item from that location, it loses these features.
In the following example, let’s move the DeLorean from the Dealership category to the Taxi category, replacing the Checker Cab.
Watch what then happens to the classification features it inherits based on its position in the category hierarchy.
