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Oracle Express Server Release Notes
Release 6.3.4 for Windows NT/2000 and UNIX Systems

Part Number A97673-01

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Oracle Express Server

Release Notes Release 6.3.4 for Windows NT/2000 and UNIX Systems

June 2002

Part No. A97673-01

These Release Notes accompany the Oracle Express Server Installation and Configuration Guide Release 6.3.1 for Windows NT/2000 and UNIX Systems. They contain information on the following topics:

Products Discussed

These release notes discuss Express Server, Personal Express Server, and Express Server's administrative tools: Express Administrator and Relational Access Administrator. These release notes also discuss a new access and debugging tool, the OLAP Worksheet.

Unless otherwise noted, topics in these release notes apply to both Express Server and Personal Express Server. Topics related to Express Administrator, Relational Access Administrator, and OLAP Worksheet are discussed in sections dedicated to those products.

Product Enhancements

Release 6.3 includes new features and performance enhancements. Detailed information regarding new features can be found in the Express Language, Express Instance Manager, and Relational Access Administrator help systems.

OES Release 6.3.0

Product enhancements in release 6.3.0 include:

OES Release 6.3.1

Product enhancements in release 6.3.1 include:

OES Release 6.3.2.1

Product enhancements in release 6.3.2.1 (which is primarily a maintenance release) include:

OES Release 6.3.2.1a

Express Server release 6.3.2.1a is identical to 6.3.2.1 in all respects but one: due to licensing issues the Express 6.3.2.1a installation no longer provides any Merant ODBC drivers. If you install 6.3.2.1a over any prior release of Express Server, your existing Merant drivers will continue to function as before, and you are legally entitled to use them. The Express Server ODBC module (xsodbc) will also work with ODBC drivers, from Merant or other vendors.

If you install 6.3.2.1a into the same Oracle home as a previous version of Express Server, all files in the ORACLE_HOME/olap/odbc directory will be deleted. If you want to preserve these files, we recommend that you make a copy of the odbc directory before installation. You should also copy oes.key, which is overwritten when a new installation uses the same Oracle home as a previous installation. 6.3.2.1a is available on all platforms except on LINUX (6.3.2.1 for LINUX did not contain Merant ODBC drivers).

OES Release 6.3.2.1b

Express Server release 6.3.2.1b was released on IBM-AIX and INTEL-LINUX to support the latest operating system version and is, functionally, similar to both 6.3.2.1 and 6.3.2.1a.

OES Release 6.3.4

Express Server release 6.3.4 is primarily a maintenance release. One significant change is that any SEGWIDTH specification that you have applied to a variable is now retained after export/import.

Please note the following important operating system specific information:

Requirements

This section describes the hardware and software requirements for Express Administrative Tools, Personal Express Server, and Express Server.

Express Administrative Tools

The Express Server administrative tools, Express Administrator, and Express Relational Access Administrator, have the following requirements:

Personal Express Server

Personal Express Server requires the following:

Express Server

Express Server requires the following operating system versions and hardware requirements.

Operating System Versions

Express Server is supported on the following operating system versions:

Windows NT Server Hardware Configuration

The minimal hardware requirements include:

The minimal recommended hardware requirements include:

Sun Solaris Hardware Configuration

The minimal hardware requirements include:

The minimal recommended hardware requirements include:

Hardware recommendations vary depending on your data, your application, and the number of concurrent users. Refer to the Express Server Performance and Database Design Guide for additional recommendations.

Hardware requirements for other UNIX platforms will be similar.

Installation Notes

The following sections provide information on installation.

Oracle Home Directories

Express Server release 6.3.2 uses Oracle Universal Installer to install Express Server and related components. Oracle Universal Installer supports multiple Oracle home directories. This means that there can be multiple directories, each containing separate sets of installed Oracle products. Before installing Express Server, refer to the information on Oracle home directories in the Express Server Installation and Configuration Guides for Windows NT/2000 and UNIX Systems.

File Installation Errors During Express Administrator and Relational Access Administrator Installation

Because Oracle Universal Installer cannot update files marked read-only, you might receive error messages while installing Express Administrator and/or Relational Access Administrator. To solve this problem:

Or,

CLASSPATH System Environment Variable (Express server Only)

When Express Server is installed on Windows NT Server, values are added to the Windows NT Servers CLASSPATH system environment variable. Due to limitations in Windows NT, it may fail to start when there are more than 255 characters in the CLASSPATH variable.

If there are more than 255 characters in the CLASSPATH variable, Oracle Installer will display a message at the end of Express Server installation advising you to edit the value of CLASSPATH so that there are 255 or fewer characters before you reboot your system. Use the Environment tab in the Windows System Properties editor to edit the value of CLASSPATH. The System Properties tab can be accessed through the Windows NT Control Panel. Edit the CLASSPATH variable to remove unnecessary values. Check for duplicates of the following subdirectories in Oracle home:

\classes\lib\vbjapp.jar
\classes\lib\vbjcosnm.jar
\classes\lib\vbjorb.jar
\classes\lib\vbjtools.jar
Running Express Instance Manager from a Browser (Express Server Only)

Express Server does not support UNIX browsers. Express Instance Manager (EIM) launched from a browser requires the Jinitiator plug-in. Jinitiator is an Oracle product that is supported only on Windows NT.

Installing Express Instance Manager (EIM) Console Files on the Server

To install the EIM console files, copy eim_webstage.zip, located in the eim_webstage directory, from the CD-ROM to the Web server virtual root directory. For example, in Oracle Application Server, this directory is $ORACLE_HOME/ows/4.0/doc. Unzip the file using a platform-specific unzip utility. An EIM_WEBSTAGE directory containing all Express Instance Manager files on the Web server host is created.

Configuring Your Browser

To configure a Windows NT system to access Express Server through its browser, install the Oracle Jinitiator plug-in by performing the following steps:

  1. Download the plug-in by entering the following URL syntax:

    http://<your-webserver-hostname.domainname.extension>/eim_webstage
    /java-plugin/install_win32.html
    
    

For example, if the Web server host name is oracle and the domain name is olap.com, enter the following:

http://oracle.olap.com/eim_webstage/java-plugin/install_win32.html

  • Wait for the plug-in to download, then exit the browser.

  • Install the plug-in by double-clicking on the executable file.

    When Jinitiator is installed, it appears as an item on the start menu.

    Launching Express Instance Manager (EIM) From a Browser

    To launch EIM, start the browser and enter the following URL:

    http://<your-webserver-hostname.domainname.extension>/eim_webstage
    /ExpressInstanceManager.html
    
    

    If the server URL is oracle.olap.com, enter the following:

    http://oracle.olap.com/eim_webstage/ExpressInstanceManager.html
    


    Note:

    This URL syntax assumes that the web listeners are using default port numbers.  


    Running Oracle Express Manager Console from a Browser

    You can configure Oracle Enterprise Manager to run the Oracle Enterprise Manager Console from a browser.


    Note:

    When running Oracle Enterprise Manager from a browser, you cannot launch Express Instance Manager from that session of the Oracle Enterprise Manager Console. 


    Installing Instance Manager for Use with Oracle Enterprise Manager (Express Server Only)

    To launch Express Instance Manager from the Oracle Enterprise Manager Console on a Windows system, install only Express Instance Manager into the Oracle Enterprise Manager Oracle home directory. Express Instance Manager is then installed into the program group representing the Oracle home directory of Oracle Enterprise Manager (for example, `Oracle-OEM Home').

    Installing Express Server on a Machine with Existing Versions of Express Server

    You may install Express Server 6.3.4 on a machine that has previous versions of Express Server (for example, versions 6.3.0 or 6.3.2.1). It is recommended that you install Express Server into a different Oracle home than previously installed versions in order to preserve oes.key information in the new environment.


    Note:

    You may not run multiple versions of administrative tools (for example, Express Administrator and Express Relational Access Administrator) on the same machine. 


    Oracle Express Command-Line Service Manager (OESMGR)

    To use Express Server's Service Manager utility, OESMGR, set the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable to $ORACLE_HOME/lib. (In previous releases, LD_LIBRARY_PATH was set to $OLAP_HOME/lib.) For HP-UX, set SHLIB_PATH instead of LD_LIBRARY_PATH.

    Migration Notes

    Migration issues specific to Relational Access Manager include the following:

    Migrations issues specific to Express Administrator include the following:

    Migration issues specific to Express Batch Manger include the following:

    Migrating from Express Server 6.x

    If you are upgrading from a pre-6.3 version of Express Server, you must export your current database and import it into a new database created with Express 6.3.4. If you are upgrading from 6.3.x, export/import is highly recommended, but not required. The export-import procedure will optimize your Express database by creating a new database with optimized data storage.

    See Also:

    Appendix C of the Oracle Express Database Administration Guide for more information on upgrading from previous versions of Express Server and Express Administrator 

    Express Server Notes

    The following sections provide information on Express Server.

    AGGREGATE Command vs. ROLLUP Command

    The ROLLUP command is the primary method of aggregating data in Express Server 6.2 (and earlier versions). In Express Server 6.3, the new AGGREGATE command can be used to aggregate data. The AGGREGATE command is usually much more efficient than ROLLUP. In addition, the AGGREGATE command can be used to aggregate data at runtime. This eliminates the need to presummarize the entire database, as is required in Express Server 6.2 and earlier versions. See Express Language help for more information.

    AGGREGATE and Conjoint Dimensions

    As stated in the Express Language Reference, you cannot use conjoint dimensions in the definition of an aggregation map object. Use composite dimensions instead. If you include a conjoint dimension in the definition of an aggregation map object, compiling the aggregation map object fails and an error message which does not accurately describe the problem might be displayed (for example, the message might state that a relation is stated more than once in the definition of the aggregation map).

    If the database contains conjoint dimensions and you wish to use AGGREGATE, change the definition of the conjoint dimension to a composite dimension before the aggregation map is defined. To do this, use the CHGDFN command. For example, enter:

    CHGDFN <conjoint name> COMPOSITE
    
    AGGREGATE and Relational Access Manager Databases

    Databases built by Express Relational Access Manager use conjoint dimensions. If you use AGGREGATE with a Relational Access Manager database, redefine conjoint dimensions to composite dimensions before aggregating data. You must also redefine the composite dimensions back to conjoint dimensions after aggregating data. For example, enter:

    CHGDFN <composite name> DIMENSION
    
    AGGREGATE is Optimized for BTREE Index

    The AGGREGATE command is optimized for composite dimensions that use the BTREE index method. If the composite dimension uses a HASH index, consider redefining it to use a BTREE index. To see what type of index a composite dimension uses the OBJ function. For example, enter:

    SHOW OBJ(BTREE '<composite name>')
    
    Use of WEIGHT and WEIGHTBY with AGGREGATE

    The following information is an update to the AGGREGATE command and the RELATION command in the Express language Help System. Although you can use either the WEIGHT or the WEIGHTBY keyword, the WEIGHTBY keyword provides more flexibility. The WEIGHT keyword cannot follow the COUNTVAR keyword. Because the WEIGHT keyword has this restriction, Oracle Corporation recommends that you always use WEIGHTBY.

    For example, suppose you want to use one AGGREGATE command to aggregate the data for three different variables: SALES, UNITS, and PROJECTED_SALES. Define an aggregation map named SALES.AGG, which has the following contents:

    RELATION myt1.parent OPERATOR WSUM
    RELATION myp1.parent OPERATOR WAVERAGE
    RELATION myg1.parent OPERATOR AVERAGE
    
    

    Both the WSum and the WAverage operators require that you define weight variables and use them with the WEIGHT or WEIGHTBY keyword in the AGGREGATE command. Because you want to use different weight values for each variable, define three different weight variables: SW (for SALES), UW (for UNITS) and PSW (for PROJECTED_SALES).

    The Average operator requires that you define an integer variable for each variable and use them with the COUNTVAR keyword in the AGGREGATE command. Therefore, define three different integer variables: INTSALES (for SALES), INTUNITS (for UNITS), and INTPROJ (for PROJECTED_SALES).

    If you prefer to use the WEIGHT keyword, then it must precede the COUNTVAR keyword and integer variables. For example, enter:

    AGGREGATE sales units projected_sales USING sales.agg - 
    WEIGHT sw uw psw COUNTVAR intsales intunits intproj
    
    

    However, if you want the WEIGHT clause to follow the COUNTVAR clause, use WEIGHTBY instead. For example, enter:

    AGGREGATE sales units projected_sales USING sales.agg -
    COUNTVAR intsales intunits intproj WEIGHTBY sw uw psw
    
    WNAFill Weight Variable Option

    WNAFill is a weight variable option that you can use after the WEIGHT keyword in an AGGREGATE command. You can specify a number or NA after WNAFill. If you specify a number, then that number will replace every NA value in the weight variable or the weight formula. If you specify NA, then that NA weight causes the child value not to be aggregated into the parent value.

    For example, suppose you define a SALES variable and an aggregation map named SALES.AGG. In the aggregation map, specify a RELATION command that uses a WAverage (weighted average) OPERATOR. Because WAverage requires that you define and use a weight variable, define a variable named SALESW that has identical dimensionality to SALES. You then add weight values to SALESW, but you do not have weights for every possible data value; therefore, some cells in SALESW are left as NA values. When the WAverage aggregation is performed you want to substitute a value of 0.7 for every NA value in SALESW. To do so, enter one of the following:

    AGGREGATE sales USING sales.agg WEIGHT WNAFILL 0.7 salesw
    

    or

    AGGREGATE sales USING sales.agg WEIGHT WNAFILL NA salesw
    
    

    Using WNAFill NA has the following effect:

    If you do not specify WNAFill in an AGGREGATE command, the following defaults apply:

    WAgg Weight Variable Option

    Oracle Express Server release 6.3.4 contains a new WAgg weight variable option. WSum and SSum use WNoAgg by default. This means that the weight values in the weight variable are not aggregated. If you want the weight values to be aggregated, use WAgg (weight aggregation) in the AGGREGATE command. If you use WAgg, then WVarPriority is also used by default, although you may change the default. If you want to use both WAgg and WAggPriority with WSum or SSum, then you must specify both WAgg and WAggPriority in the AGGREGATE command.

    WAverage uses WAgg by default.


    Note:

    You cannot aggregate Boolean weight values. If the weight variable has a Boolean data type, then WNoAgg is used by default. 


    Accessing Event Logs

    Express Server stores informational messages and error messages in event logs. You can view event logs using Express Instance Manager's Log sheet. Event logs are available for Express Server and Express Server Agent.

    Accessing Files Across NFS

    For Express Server to access files and databases on NFS mounts, you must enable root access across NFS.

    New Restriction on INPLACE

    You must open databases in exclusive mode if performing operations on INPLACE variables. If you use INPLACE variables in your Express applications, refer to the Using In-Place Variables note for a complete discussion.

    Working with Oracle Reports

    If you are using Oracle Reports to access data from Express Server, see the Oracle Reports installation notes for important NLS settings.

    Large Address Space (Express Server NT Only)

    When running on Windows NT 4.0 Enterprise Edition, Express Server can access up to 2GB of address space. To take advantage of the large address space, the boot parameter '/3GB' must be added to the operating systems section of the BOOT.INI file. For example:

    multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows NT Server, Enterprise 
    Edition Version 4.00 [3G address space]" /3GB
    
    Known Problems

    The following sections provide information on known problems in this release.

    Sparse Looping in Models

    When a solution variable for a model contains sparse dimensions (when the variable uses a composite) that are not listed in the model's DIMENSION statement, Express loops over the solution variable using the dimension-value combinations of the composite, rather than the values of the base dimensions. In this case, when Express Server solves the model, it assigns new values only to the dimension-value combination originally in the composite. It does not create or store new dimension-value combinations for the variable.

    This default looping behavior might result in lost data if both the source and target variables of a model have sparse dimensions but use different composites to manage sparsity. Assume, for example, that the source composite contains dimension-value combinations that do not occur in the pre-solution target composite. In this case, the new values are ignored and are not propagated to the target.

    To ensure that all values are propagated to the target, the model must loop over the values of the base dimensions of the solution variable rather than the dimension-value combinations of solution variable's composite.

    Formerly, specifying ACROSS with the source expression's composite would have this effect; unfortunately, there were other undesirable side effects. Consequently the use of ACROSS in model equations was prohibited beginning in Express Server 6.2.

    To cause a model that has a solution variable with sparse dimensions to loop over all the values of the base dimensions, specify all of the composite's base dimensions in the model's DIMENSION statement. In this way, you can ensure that all values are propagated to the target when the model is solved.

    Using an RDBMS Data Source: Handling Non-default Decimal and Thousands Characters in Oracle RDBMS

    When Express Server loads data from a relational database, it expects that both Express Server and the relational database use the same characters as thousands and decimal separators. If Express Server and the relational database do not use the same characters, it can misinterpret data values fetched from the relational database.

    By default, Express Server, Oracle8i, and Oracle 9i expect a period (.) for the decimal character and a comma (,) for the thousands character. These values are often changed for localization and for some financial applications.

    If you are using Express Relational Access Manager to fetch data from a relational database, Relational Access Manager will automatically set Express Server's thousands and decimal characters correctly. If you are not using Express Relational Access Manager, you must set thousands and decimal characters in your application.

    Oracle Relational Database Setting  Express Settings 

    NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS = '.,' 

    DECIMALCHAR = '.'

    THOUSANDSCHAR = ',' 

    NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS = ',.' 

    DECIMALCHAR = ','

    THOUSANDSCHAR = '.' 

    For data to be copied from Express Server to an Oracle relational database correctly, both databases must use the default values for the decimal and thousands character. Be sure that the settings are correct for any Express session in which you use a decimal expression in the following commands:

    SQL INSERT. . . VALUES expression
    SQL UPDATE. . . SET expression WHERE expression
    SQL SELECT. . . WHERE expression
    
    

    The decimal and thousands characters must be set as follows:

    The decimal and thousands characters must be set as follows:

    Oracle Relational Database Setting  Express Settings 

    NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS = '.,' 

    DECIMALCHAR = '.'

    THOUSANDSCHAR = ',' 

    To change the Express settings, enter the following:

    DECIMALCHAR = '.'
    THOUSANDSCHAR = ','
    
    

    To change the Oracle8i or Oracle 9i setting, enter the following from Express Server:

    sql alter session set nls_numeric_characters = '.,'

    Sharing Sessions Between SNAPI and XCA Connections

    Sharing sessions between SNAPI and XCA connections was designed to debug programs that run through SNAPI. The procedures for this method of debugging are described in Chapter 4 of the Express Language Programming Guide. Any other use of this feature may cause unpredictable results, including server crashes.

    DATABASE VALIDATE Command

    When you use the VALIDATE keyword with the DATABASE command, issue the command immediately after attaching the database. Otherwise, results are not reliable.

    Express Instance Manager Notes (Express Server Only)

    The following sections provide information on Express Instance Manager.

    Session Management with Domain Level Security (Windows NT Only)

    If you use Domain level security, you cannot access session management features in Express Instance Manager. If you require session management features (for example, to view and stop sessions), use Host level security.

    Using CREATE and CREATE LIKE to Create New Express Server Instances

    Express Instance Manager (EIM) can create additional Express Server instances using the CREATE and CREATE LIKE tools. When using these features, be aware of the following potential problems:

    Setting a UUID in Express Instance Manager

    A UUID uniquely identifies an Express Server instance. You can generate a new UUID in the Parameters/Identifiers tab using Express Instance Manager. The standard procedure for generating a new UUID is to highlight

    the current UUID in the ServerObjectID field and press the UUID button.

    In Express Instance Manager 6.3.2.1, the UUID button is not automatically enabled when the ServerObjectID field is highlighted. To generate a new UUID, perform the following:

    1. Highlight the ServerObjectID field.

    2. Press the Set <NA> button.

    3. Press the UUID button

    Express Administrator Notes

    The following sections provide information on Express Administrator.

    Known Issues in Release 6.3

    The following sections provide information on bugs in Oracle Express Server release 6.3.

    Exiting Administrator

    For Windows 95 and Windows 98 operating systems, exiting Express Administrator might result in an INVALID PAGE FAULT error. This is a known bug with MS Visual Basic v4 (Microsoft bug Q184332). At present, there is no user work-around.

    Database ID

    Express Administrator uses database identifiers to make meta data unique when multiple databases are attached in the same Express session. Database identifiers are defined when you define a new database. By default, the first two characters of a database name are used as the database identifier. For example, if a database is named BUDGET, its default database identifier is BU.

    When Express Administrator generates meta data in the database, the name of the Express database object used to store the meta data might be prefixed with the database identifier. For example, if an ORGANIZATION dimension is created in the BUDGET database, which has a database identifier of BU, the relation used to store the parentage relation is named BUOR.PARENT (the prefix is a concatenation of the database identifier and the first two characters of the dimension).

    If you create a different database, for example SALES, which also has an ORGANIZATION dimension, its meta data objects would have a prefix starting with SA (assuming you accept the default value for the database identifier). The parent relation for the ORGANIZATION dimension is then named SAOR.PARENT.

    If two databases are named so that the first two characters are the same, and the existing database is not attached at the time you create the new database, Express Administrator reuses the same first two characters as the default value for the dimension identifier. If this default is accepted, and both databases are attached at a later time, object-naming conflicts can occur between the databases.

    Express Administrator does not provide a method to change the database identifier of a database. Therefore, you should be very careful to avoid a situation where two databases share the same database identifier.

    Hierarchy Editor

    Changes made in the Hierarchy Editor are not be recognized in the Selector until the Hierarchy Editor before the Selector is opened. To avoid this, before bringing up the Selector, close the Hierarchy Editor after making changes to a dimension.

    When using the Hierarchy Editor, you might encounter problems with dragging and dropping a large number of values from the Available pane to the Hierarchy pane. If you encounter problems, use cut and paste to move values between the panes.

    In the Hierarchy Editor, you cannot scroll beyond the visible items in the Hierarchy pane while dragging values from the Available (left-hand) pane. To work around this problem, select the item under which you will be dropping values in the Hierarchy pane first, then select and drag the values from the Available pane.

    Database Wizard

    When loading a data file in the Database Wizard, you can set Advanced options for the data load. On the advanced options dialog, the 1-pass and 2-pass radio buttons are enabled, even though they should be disabled. If you select either of the buttons, the action is ignored.

    The Database Wizard cannot generate a new database in a directory on a UNIX file system without write privileges. If you try to generate a new database, you receive a PERMISSION DENIED error, followed by a series of error messages. If you encounter this error, you must exit the Database Wizard, obtain write privileges to the directory and then re-run the Database Wizard.

    Data Reader Interface

    When using the Space Between Fields option in series data, the number you specify refers to the number of spaces before the first character in the first field of series data. (The Space Between Fields option is at the bottom of the Variable Properties (Numeric) dialog box that appears after you map a variable to a field in the text file you are reading). Therefore, when specifying the starting column and width of a field, you must make sure the starting column number precedes the start of the data by the number of spaces you specified, and that the width of the column includes the number of spaces you specified. If you do not account for these spaces, your data will be read incorrectly.

    Spaces in Database Names

    Oracle Express Administrator does not allow you to name a database that has a space in the name, such as My Database. If you do, you will receive an error when opening the Selector for a dimension or variable in the database.

    Scheduler

    The scheduler does not automatically update databases before running scheduled jobs. Be sure to use Express Administrator's File/Save command to update the database before submitting a job to the scheduler.

    Missing Taskbar Icon

    When some dialog boxes are open, you might not see the Oracle Express Administrator icon on the Windows Taskbar. To avoid this problem, close open dialogs before pressing ALT-Tab to go to another application.

    File Formats

    If you are using Oracle Express Server on the same Windows NT server as Express Administrator, specify path names in the 4GL using the DOS file format to reference files on the local system. For files that are remote to the Express Server system, you can use either DOS or UNC format, unless the documentation explicitly states otherwise. However, be consistent. All references to a given file must be in the same format.

    DOS file name format is:

    [d:] [\][path\] filename[.ext]

    UNC file name format is:

    \\host\share\[path\] filename[.ext]

    Express Relational Access Manager Notes

    The following sections provide information on Express Relational Access Manager.

    Relational Access Administrator Performance

    The performance of Express Relational Access Administrator in opening projects and saving changes to projects has been significantly improved for larger projects.

    Relational Access Manager Meta Data

    Express Relational Access Manager creates meta data in the Express database that describes mapping to source data in the relational database and Relational Access Manager's caching structures. Applications do not rely on or alter this meta data, as it can change without notice. These data structures have changed significantly in Express Relational Access Manager 6.3.

    ODBC Requirements

    If you use Oracle ODBC drivers to connect to an Oracle7 database using the Relational Access Administrator, version 2.5 (or later) of the Oracle ODBC driver is required. If you use Oracle ODBC drivers to connect to an Oracle8 database, version 8.0.4 (or later) of the Oracle ODBC driver is recommended.

    Switch to Suppress Join Optimizations

    If you use an Oracle RDBMS and if the top level of a dimension has only one value, by default the Relational Access Manager removes the JOIN for the level. This can result in slower performance. Set the SQ.SKIP.OPT.JOIN switch to YES to suppress removing the JOIN.

    Support to Schemas with Data Partitioned Within a Level

    The Relational Access Manager can support data within a level partitioned across hierarchies (belonging to the same dimension). Set the SQ.GOT.MULTIHIER switch in the READWH database to YES to support this type of schema. If you do not have this type of schema, leave the switch at its default setting of NO.

    Known Problems with Express Relational Access Manager

    The following sections provide information on common Express Relational Access Manager problems.

    Multiple Users Opening Relational Access Manager Projects

    Although Relational Access Administrator allows multiple users to open and edit the same Relational Access Manager project at the same time, Oracle Corporation recommends that you avoid doing this. If multiple users edit a Relational Access Manager project simultaneously, the project might be corrupted.

    Truncated SQL Statements

    SQL SELECT statements greater then 2,000 characters might be truncated to 2,000 characters when the SELECT statement is saved to the RDBMS. The Relational Access Manager Query Statistics application then displays only the first 2,000 characters of a SELECT statement.

    Renaming Dimensions

    The Relational Access Administrator allows you to rename a dimension. However, the new dimension name is not reflected in the Express database when an existing data file is updated. The new name is reflected in the Express database, only if the Express database is rebuilt as a new data file.

    Printing Reports

    Relational Access Administrator allows you to print reports that contain information about a Relational Access Administrator project. If changes have been made to the project before the project is saved, you might receive errors when you attempt to print a report. These problems are most common when changes have been made in the Data Model tab.

    New Information for Express Relational Access Manager 6.3.4

    The following section provides new information in connection with Relation Access Manager 6.3.4

    Query Performance

    If queries in 6.3x appear to be very slow only where the data model has a large number of levels for any number of dimensions and fact tables are partitioned (i.e., the data is partitioned) then the query time can be improved. This is particularly evident in upgrades from 6.2x to 6.3x. The switch SQ.FORCE.ETLOGIC can be set to YES to produce better SQL for the type of model described above.

    Queries involving more than one custom measure (time-based) may be faster in some cases since less data is being retrieved at run time.

    Embedded Total Tables

    With embedded total tables, the hierarchy containing the lowest level needs to be defined first in RAA.

    Attribute Mappings

    If the same column is to be used for the key and the attribute description, the column should be mapped to the key column only and not mapped to the description column.

    RAM Query Statistics

    * Previously the only RDBMS user that would generate data for use in the RAM Query Statistics reports was the owner of the RAM meta data. All RDBMS users now generate RAM Query Statistics data. RAM Query Statistics for use with non Oracle RDBMS will be desupported in September 2002.


    Note:

    The following has been added to the RAM Users Guide:

    The RAM.STATS.FLAG and RAM.STATS.FREQ are now stored in EXTRACSQ.db. Enable Query Statistics can be set for all users in the RAM Query Statistics tool. It can also be overwritten for a particular user session, either by using a CUSTOM program at startup, or by setting it in the Express Command Window during the session. 


    OLAP Worksheet

    Oracle OLAP Worksheet 6.3.4 is a command-line access and debugging tool for use with Express Server. It is a Java-based application that is designed to work with any version of Express Server that supports the XCA protocol.

    With the OLAP Worksheet you can edit and debug programs, and execute most Express SPL commands. The Worksheet has a Command Input window and an Edit window. The Input window contains a query (input) pane at the bottom, where you can enter Express commands, and a results (output) pane at the top, where the results of your commands appear.

    The Edit window provides a means for editing Express programs. It appears when you type Edit (or Edt) and a program name in the input pane of the Command Input window.

    The OLAP Worksheet is available with the OES 6.3.4 client package, on a separate CD with its own Installer. For instructions on how to use the Worksheet tool, consult OLAP Worksheet Help.


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