Load Wizard: Step 4 dialog

Use this dialog to configure the joins and additional objects that are generated when data is loaded into the business area.

For more information, see:

"What is the Load Wizard?"

"How to create a business area using the Load Wizard"

Do you want to create joins?

If you choose the option to Create Joins by Matching Column Names, Discoverer needs to check every column name of every object being loaded with every other column name. As the number of columns being loaded increases this obviously increases the processing required. As a side effect of this method, any joins that are created will need to be checked after the load to ensure they are valid. The master-detail relationship needs to be verified that it is the correct way round, and the join condition itself needs to be verified that it is valid (i.e. not created accidentally by two completely different columns having the same name.)

Yes, create joins from:

Use this check box to create joins on items in the business area.

• Primary/foreign key constraints

  Use this radio button to create joins on primary and foreign keys. This option is recommended if primary and foreign key constraints are defined in the database.

  It is recommended whenever possible to select this option within Discoverer. Using this option, joins are only loaded from the constraints held within DBMS, which is a rapid process. It also creates joins that are always correct (i.e. the master and detail relationship is specified the right way round).

  For example, if Regions contain many Stores, the primary key Region.Region Name might be joined to the foreign key Stores.Region Name.

• Matching column names

  Use this radio button to create joins on matching column names in the database tables. You use this option when no primary and foreign key constraints are defined, for example, if you are using a non-Oracle database.

  If you choose this option, Discoverer needs to check every column name of every object being loaded with every other column name. As the number of columns being loaded increases this obviously increases the processing required. As a side effect of this method, any joins that are created will need to be checked after the load to ensure they are valid. The master-detail relationship needs to be verified that it is the correct way round, and the join condition itself needs to be verified that it is valid (i.e. not created accidentally by two completely different columns having the same name).

What additional objects do you want to generate?

Summaries based on folders that are created

Use this check box to use automated summary management (ASM) to create summaries after the load process, based on folders that are created.

ASM attempts to create a set of suitable summaries after analyzing the table structure. Selecting this option may slightly increase duration of the bulk load, but should give your users improved query performance.

Note: Do not select this option if you are going to run Automated Summary Management, or if your database space is low.

Date hierarchies, using

Use this check box to automatically create date hierarchies for date items. Select a hierarchy from the list of default date hierarchy formats provided in the drop down menu. The date hierarchy is applied to all date columns in the business area. Creating a date hierarchy enables users to drill up/down through date items. For example, from years to quarters or from months to days.

Automatically generating date hierarchies inserts additional (calculated) items into the folder. That is, an extra item is created for every date item in each node in the date hierarchy. For example a date hierarchy containing year|quarter|month|day applied to a table with three date columns generates an additional 12 items in the folder. For more information, see Chapter 13, "Creating and maintaining hierarchies".

Default aggregate on data points

Use this check box to specify a default aggregate for numeric items. Then choose an aggregate from the drop down list below. The default is SUM.

List of values for items of type

Use this check box to generate lists of values based on the types you select. This option automatically creates lists of values for each axis item of each type specified, except character items longer than 40 characters. The values are derived from the values in the database column.

Notes

• Items are loaded as data points if they are DECIMALS (that is, a NUMBER data type) and have a non-zero precision. Integer numbers, all keys, and all other data types are loaded as axis items, with a default position of "Top."

• In Discoverer Plus, whether an item is an axis item or datapoint affects the items' default placement on cross tab worksheets, as follows:
  • Data points are shown with easy to pick aggregate functions and appear by default in the center of cross tabular reports, because they are usually numbers that users want to analyze. Another term for data points is measures.

  • Axis items can have visible lists of values; data points do not have visible lists of values. Axis items appear on the page, top, or side of cross tab reports by default. Another term for axis items is dimensions.

  • Whether an item is designated as an axis item or a data point ONLY affects its default position on a new sheet in Discoverer Plus. The position can always be changed by a user and the default position can always be changed by a Discoverer manager.

• List of values are derived by querying the database when Discoverer users click the + symbol next to the item. Lists are dynamic and change if the values in the database change. When + is clicked, the values are cached locally on the client for performance reasons, unless the Cache list of values during each connection check box is cleared when either creating or editing an item class in the following dialogs:
  • Item Class Wizard: Step 4 dialog

  • Edit Item Class dialog: Options tab

• Avoid creating lists of values on columns that will contain many values (e.g. decimals).

  For more information, see "Item Class Wizard: Advanced options for list of values dialog".

  If the Cache list of values during each connection check box is selected and you want to display new values in a list, you must reconnect.