ModelAttributeTypes are used in conjunction with the model to enhance the functionality of individual attributes.

Below shows a persisted attribute and a derived attribute using the universal properties that all attribute types support

//persisted attribute
pat_dob:{
    //Intended for developers, provides realtime information about am attribute
    //Mostly used for attributes that are added to models outside of their own file
    //i.e. {medical.PatientsProblemModel}
    _info: "I'm helping!",


    // maps to a possible attribute type
    // The default assumption is string type
    type: 'date',

    // human readable name of property
    name: 'DOB',

    // function that returns a displayable string
    // keep in mind you do not have to define a function here.
    // You can pass a function as a property
    // Also, some types provide a default displayMethod for convenience
    // The function is passed (rawValue, attributeKey, model)
    // the rawValue is the only guaranteed parameter, some uses of displayMethod
    // may not provider the 2nd and 3rd param
    displayMethod: awa.func.date_format_simple,

    // even though this is a date type attribute, the rule
    // is required for proper warnings.
    // Some inputs will enfore the rule type regardless of the rule.
    // For possible rules, see {awa.mvc.ModelRules}
    rules: {
        date: true
    }
},

//derived attribute
pat_ext_id: {
    //this is an array of attributes to trigger off of
    //The model will not build the attribute until atleast 1 is present
    on: ['pat_cus_id', 'pat_cli_id', 'pat_id'],

    //this function receives the RAW attribute BEFORE they are set
    //use these to build the value
    build: function(attributes){
        return attributes.pat_cus_id+'-'+attributes.pat_cli_id+'-'+attributes.pat_id;
    },

    //this ensures that the property will not be sent back to the server
    sync: false
},