Siebel Business Analytics Server Administration Guide > Using Variables in the Analytics Repository > Using Initialization Blocks >

Tasks Using the Initialization Block Dialog Box—Variable Tab

The Variables tab can list several variables in the Variables column, and the initialization block SQL in the Default initializer list can list multiple columns in the SELECT statement. The variables will be initialized in the same order that the columns are listed in the SQL statement; for example, the value returned in the nth column will be assigned to the nth variable in the list.

For repository variables, when you open a repository in online mode, the value shown in the Default initializer column in the Variable tab of the Initialization Block dialog box is the current value of that variable as known to the Analytics Server.

NOTE:  The number of associated variables can be different from the number of columns being retrieved. If there are fewer variables than columns, extra column values are ignored. If there are more variables than columns, the additional variables are not refreshed (they retain their original values, whatever they may be). Any legal SQL can be executed using an initialization block, including SQL that writes to the database or alters database structures, assuming the database permits the user ID associated with the connection pool to perform these actions.

For more information about initialization blocks, see Using Initialization Blocks.

To access the Initialization Block dialog box

1. In the Administration Tool, select Manage > Variables.
2. In the Variable Manager dialog box, select Action > New > Initialization Block.

To reorder a variable

1. In the Variables list, select the variable you want to reorder.
2. Click Up and Down to reorder the list.

To add a new variable to refresh with this block

1. Click the New button to open the Variable tab of the Variable dialog box.
2. Complete the Variable tab, and then click OK.

To edit a variable refreshed by this block

1. Select the variable to edit and click Edit to open the Variable tab of the Variable dialog box.
2. Make your changes, and then click OK.

To link a block with a variable not already refreshed by an initialization block

1. Click the Link button.

   The Browse dialog box appears.

2. Select the variable to be refreshed by this initialization block.
3. Click OK to close the Browse dialog box and return to the Initialization Block dialog box.

To remove a variable's association with this block

• Select the variable, and then click the Remove button.

Default Initializer

For repository variables, when you open a repository in online mode, the value shown in the Default initializer column of the Initialization Block—Variables tab is the current value of that variable as known to the Analytics Server.

Initialization When the Analytics Server Starts

If you stop and restart the Analytics Server, the server will automatically execute the SQL in repository variable initialization blocks, reinitializing the repository variables.