Cube Creation via .iqd

[vivek1979]

Hi,

Question - When I create and build my cube in Transformer, where does the cube get the data values from -
1. From the .iqd data source that I created in Impromptu OR

2. Data is obtained from the server database (SQL Server) in my case and the structural information (metadata) is obtained from .iqd ?

Additional Info -

I build an .imr report from my warehouse data. So I have all the metadata and data values in the .imr report. Then I save it as an .iqd. I use this .iqd in my model.

The reason I ask this question is I am confused as to where the cube gets it's data from. When the users access the cube in PowerPlay web explorer, i.e when they slice and dice the cube does it go to the database and fetch the values OR does it just re-order the data in the .iqd.

Any inputs from you guys would help.

Thanks

 

[drlex]

Vivek,
2.
.iqd is used to obtain the source and scope of the data. The details of the model in transformer will determine the scope and layout of the cube. Once the cube is built, the data is static for reports based on it. The reports change only when the cube is rebuilt.
lex

soi la, soi carre

 

[kdemulder]

As drlex said the .IQD is a kind of a "port" to the actual database for the cube. See it as a map transformer uses to find de data in de database. Now once the data is fetched from the databased it's staticly stored in that cube. So whatever your users may do, they're only playing the cube, NOT the actual database. So you can let the users play as much as they want to. They're not getting the data at runtime from the database, it's all stored in the cube.
When you open an .IQD you will see it's pretty readable if you're familiar with SQL.

 

[DoubleD]

An IQD file is only a fancy SQL statement. Once you've created your MDL, there is no direct connection between the IQD file and the MDL anymore. Hence, when you make changes to your IQD, you need to bring in the most recent version of the IQD.

Once the MDC is built, it is a stand-alone file. Think of it as a rubik's cube. There are many color combinations on the cube, turn it this and that way and you see a new view of the data, but you don't have to go anywhere to get more colors.

When you drill through to an IMR from your cube, then you are going against the database.

Pain is stress leaving the body.

DoubleD