How to modify jira database for custom field data

[Mahendran Balu]

Hi,

We have created some custom field in jira.

We need to get some data on those custom fields while creating new issue.

Like, Application Manager, Application server name etc.,

For that we want to add details in Jira database [MSSQL].

Please let me know which plugin we need to use to modify/update jira database.

In other words, we need to integrate external data into jira database.

Please let me know how to do that.

Best Regards,

Mahendran

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

I think there's something missing from the conversation here:

• >> For that we want to add details in Jira database [MSSQL].
  • No, you absolutely do not want to do this.  You can, in theory, but it's a terrible thing to do, will take a massive amount of effort to write and maintain, and renders your system unsupportable.
• >Please let me know which plugin we need to use to modify/update jira database.
  • None.  None of them modify the Jira database directly.
• >In other words, we need to integrate external data into jira database.
  • No, you do not.

You want to work with external data.  That's fine, but don't think of it in terms of the Jira database, that way lies madness.

The way to "work with Jira's database" is to work with the APIs - code apps or scripts or even configuration against either the internal Java APIs or the external REST APIs.  If you want to use other data sources, that's also fine, code your apps/scripts to talk to them remotely.

Better, use apps other people have written to do this for you.  Look for Jira apps that can talk to the systems you've got providing your CMDB, UPS, and ATRAC. 

If you're working with other databases and they lend themselves to having useful structures you can easily use (this is something the Jira database absolutely does not have), then look for the apps that provide various levels of database access that might work for you - Elements Connect and Scriptrunner for example, provide some Jira custom fields that can work with data held in a remote database, external-data for Jira is good at pulling data out of databases and showing it in Jira as well, and so-on.

But I would start with a clear definition of what you're trying to achieve and what Jira should be looking at your other systems for.

[Thomas Opiolka - codefortynine]

Hi,

Since this question is marked "Cloud" and not "Server", I also wanted to add a cloud solution in case someone is looking for it.

The marketplace app External Data for Jira Fields allows multiple use cases to populate external data into custom fields or display info panels within an issue. 

Depending on the setup this happens while or after creating an issue and will stay in sync in case an issue changes.

Maybe this helps someone looking for a cloud solution.

Cheers,

Thomas

Disclaimer: I am the product manager of said app.

[Mahendran Balu]

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for the suggestion.

We are using jira software in server only. Not in cloud.

Please suggest best app/plugin for our environment.

It will be great if I get document how to use the app to import/integrate external data into jira's custom field.

Best Regards,

Mahendran

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

Any of them that fit with what you're trying to do.

You have not described what you are trying to achieve with enough detail for us to begin to suggest what apps might be best suited.

[Daniel Eads]

Hi Mahendran,

I'd like to note that although you selected a Jira Cloud product when creating this question, it's about Jira Server.

There are several Marketplace apps that can achieve what you're after. For clarification, what you're needing to do is update the values of the custom fields you've created. You will definitely want an app to do this; you don't want to manually modify the Jira database itself.

• Marketplace apps that interact with external data (for Jira Server and Data Center) 

These apps for the most part work by syncing your external data source with the custom fields you have created. Typically the data will be included in Jira's search index, so you can use those custom fields in JQL queries and on dashboards.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Daniel | Atlassian Support

[Mahendran Balu]

Hi Daniel Eads,

Thank you for the suggestion.

Could you please let me know which app is best to integrate external data into jira's custom field?

Note: we need to integrate data from CMDB, UPS, and ATRAC