3 DSA Management

This chapter explains how to manage your DSAs.

Modifying Global Variables

You can quickly change variables that appear in your SQL statements throughout your DSA globally. This is very useful to ensure that variables are modified in all places to avoid errors, improves consistency, and avoids opening each SQL statement to modify it manually. The following two types of global variables can be changed:

System Defined

There are two System Defined Variables, &JOBID& and &USERID&. If a SQL statement contains one of these two strings, the entire string, including the ampersands (&), is replaced with the ID of the current job, or the ID of the user who created the job.

User Defined

Defined by specifying a name and a value in the table. The name must consist of letters and numbers only; all other characters are invalid.

Use the following steps to change global variables:

1. From the Edit menu, select Edit Global Variables.

   
   

   Note:

   All values entered are case insensitive.

2. Enter the names of the variables you want replaced in the Name field.

3. Enter the substitution values for each variable in the Substitution Value field.

4. Click OK.

All values are globally replaced in all SQL statements that contain the named values in your DSA.

Modifying DSA Options

The Application Studio DSA options that you can configure are restricting the use of DSAs to specific server types, running them with ultra-high priority, and the allowable number of database errors per job.

1. From the Tools menu, select DSA Options.

   
   

2. Select the Run Ultra-High Priority DSA check box to run all DSA jobs with the highest priority and click OK. You should use this option for DSAs that are designed to deliver super fast, single-line requests to the Oracle DataLens Server.

   Note:

   No logging takes place so nothing is displayed in the Job Status page and the Job Id number is negative. Jobs that start and finish with a negative Job Id are shown in the dataserver.log file.

3. Select the number of database errors that you want to allow before a job is terminated by the Oracle DataLens Server with the DB Update Fail Count control. When set to zero (the default), jobs continue to run regardless of a database failure and do not terminate.

4. Select one or more check boxes to indicate the Oracle DataLens Servers on which this DSA will be restricted for use and viewing by users.

   You can restrict users from using and viewing DSAs on your various types of servers by using these check boxes in conjunction with editing a users roles for the use of the Application Studio on Role Administration page in the Oracle DataLens Servers Administration Web pages. For more information about role administration, see Oracle Enterprise Data Quality for Product Data Oracle DataLens Server Administration Guide.

5. Click OK to use the changed options immediately.

Modifying Application Studio Options

To set the global Application Studio options to be used throughout the application:

1. From the Tools menu, select Options.

   
   

2. Select the available controls as appropriate from the following:

   • Mouse Over = Select Check Box

     Allows you to select nodes in the DSA simply by hovering over a node with the mouse pointer. This option is set by default.

     
     

   • Show Data Lenses Check Box

     Allows you to toggle the display of data lenses in use in the DSA Component Tree pane. This option is set by default.

     
     

   • Drag Actual Step Check Box

     Enables a visual effect that causes a step's connection lines to follow the step when it is being dragged to a new position; it has no impact on system processing. When disabled, the visual effect is that the step appears to be unconnected.

   • Scroll Viewport while Dragging Check Box

     Enables a visual effect that automatically scrolls the view in the Graphical DSA Builder pane when you drag a node to the edge of the pane. This is useful for DSAs that are larger than the pane. When deselect, you must manually scroll the display when you drag a node to the edge of the pane to view the rest of the DSA and continue dragging the node.

   • Ghosting Percent List

     Allows you to select the level of ghosting on the steps when the Show All Lines option is not selected. This option is set to 100% by default. For more information about toggling the lines in the Graphical DSA Builder, see "Graphical DSA Builder Pane".

   • Test Delay List

     This setting controls the delay between consecutive steps changing color during single-line testing of a map. This option is set to 0% by default.

3. Click the Arrowheads tab.

   
   

4. Select the available controls as appropriate from the following:

   • Show Arrowheads Check Box

     Allows you to toggle the arrowheads on the DSA connection lines on and off.

   • Line Connection Offset List

     Allows you to set how far away the connection line is from the step. The maximum is 40 pixels.

   • Arrowhead Length and Width Lists

     Allows you to set how long and wide you want the arrowheads to appear in the Graphical DSA and Map Builders. The maximum length is 20 pixels; the maximum width is 12 pixels.

5. Click OK.

All of your selections are immediately implemented.

DSA Actions

The following sections explain the actions you must take so that your DSA interacts with your Oracle DataLens Server.

Checking In a DSA

Check in the current DSA to the Oracle DataLens Server so that you can use your DSA to process data.

1. From the DSA menu, click Check-In… or use the toolbar button of the same name.

   
   

2. Enter a check in comment, which will be associated with the new revision.

   You can use the Previous Comments button to view and copy the text of other comments for use in the new check-in comment.

   Tip:

   Change history can also be viewed on the Oracle DataLens Server Administrator Web pages. For more information, see Oracle Enterprise Data Quality for Product Data Oracle DataLens Server Administration Guide.

3. Make selections from the check boxes that function as follows:

   • Deploy to Development after Check-In

     The DSA is available for use by others after check-in. This allows you to deploy the DSA to the Oracle DataLens Server for testing or not deploy to the Oracle DataLens Server it if you are simply checking in work-in-progress.

   • Keep locked for more editing

     The DSA remains dimmed for editing. Clearing this check box will make the DSA 'read-only' and activates the Delete local Data Service Application check box.

   • Delete local Data Service Application

     Deletes this DSA from your local drive.

4. Click OK.

Upon successful check-in and deployment, the Status Field in the client workspace frame is updated.

Checking Out a DSA

Checks out a local copy of a DSA from the current Oracle DataLens Server for review, maintenance, or as a new DSA.

1. From the DSA menu, click Check-Out… or use the toolbar button of the same name.

   
   

2. Select a DSA from the Name list.

3. Select the DSA revision that you want to check out. Enter a check in comment, which will be associated with the new revision.

   You can use the View History button to view and copy the text of other comments for use in the new check-in comment.

4. Select the appropriate option for the action you want to take.

   If you select Check-Out for NEW DSA, a new DSA will be created based on the DSA revision you have selected and you must enter a name for the new DSA.

   Note:

   The Oracle DataLens Server file is automatically locked for editing only when you select the Check-Out DSA option.

5. If you want to lock the DSA on the server, select the Lock Server file for editing check box.

6. Click OK.

The selected DSA is checked out or created and opened for editing.

Validating a DSA

Validates the entire DSA and informs you of any issues found so that you can correct them to ensure that the DSA operates properly.

From the DSA menu, select Validate or use the toolbar button of the same name.

The DSA is validated. A message appears indicating that there were no problems found or listing all errors found. The specific steps and transformation types found to be in error are reported.

The most common errors are steps that do not flow to an output, and mismatches between the output of a step and the input of the next.

Note:

Successful map validation is required prior to checking in a DSA.

Testing a DSA

You must first successfully validate you DSA prior to testing. To test the open DSA, select Test Data Service Application from the DSA menu or click the button of the same name on the toolbar.

Note:

If you have unsaved changes or errors are found when the save is attempted, you are alerted and can choose to correct these errors by clicking No or Cancel.

The Test Data Service Application dialog box appears and is used as follows:

1. Select an output step to test from the Output Step list.

2. Click Test to review your testing results.

   
   

   You can enter data into any of the Input Data fields then click the Test button to view the results in the corresponding Output field. This can help you verify the operation of the map and isolate any errors that may exist.

   Note:

   The Debug String functionality is for use by Oracle Consulting Services only.

3. Click Close to conclude testing.

Checking Out DSA Packages

You can check out a DSA and all or some of the data lenses associated with it at one time.

From the DSA menu, select Check-Out Package.

Select the DSA that you want to check out and click OK.

Next, select the check boxes for each individual component to check-out, which automatically sets the component to be locked upon check out. Click OK to check out all selected components to your local machine for modification.

A verification prompt appears. If you select OK, the check out continues; selecting Cancel stops the action. A progress dialog box appears so that you can view the checkouts as they occur and details any errors found.

Checking In DSA Packages

Similar to checking out a DSA package, you can check in a DSA and all or some of the data lenses associated with it at one time.

From the DSA menu, select Check-In Package.

Use the check boxes to select whether you want the DSA and/or the data lenses checked in, kept locked for more editing, or deployed. Click OK to execute the actions that you have selected. A progress dialog box appears so that you can view the check ins as they occur and details any errors found.

Setting the Test Server

You use this option to set the test server to the location of the Oracle DataLens Server that you want to use to test your DSAs and maps.

1. From the Tools menu, click Set Test Server.

   
   

   You can choose to select a specific Oracle DataLens Server or a group of servers to use for DSA testing.

2. Select either the Server Group or Specific Server option.

3. Click the down arrow to view your Oracle DataLens Server options, and select the appropriate server.

   If selecting a server group, you can choose from the Administrator, Development, Production, or Quality Assurance Server Groups. The Administrator Server Group is the default.

4. Click OK.

The test server is contacted and this new Oracle DataLens Server is used for all testing.

View My Tasks

You can see if you have any tasks assigned to use with this feature.

From the View menu, select View My Tasks.

All assigned tasks are displayed in the top pane, while the bottom pane provides the details for the selected task.

Note:

Though the fields in the bottom pane appear to be editable, the changes are not saved.

The context-sensitive menu in the top pane is activated by right-clicking the attachment icon and is used as follows:

Change Task Status See "Changing the Task Status". Download Attachments
You can download the file that was saved when the task was created for use in completing the task. A file save dialog appears for you to select the directory in which to save the file. Create Tasks See "Creating a Task".

Changing the Task Status

Selecting this option allows you to change the status of the task and/or reassign the task to another user.

1. Select a new status and/or a user to reassign the task to from the list.

   Tip:

   You can use the Unassigned Tasks user if you are unsure who you want to review this task and intend to assign it the proper person later.

2. Enter a comment that reflects why you have affected the change for future reference or to alert the new recipient of the task why they are now responsible for it.

3. Click OK.

Creating a Task

Selecting this option allows you to create an entirely new review task.

1. Select a user to complete this task.

2. Select the DSA and the DSA step that you want to change.

3. Select the data lens to which the change is to be applied.

4. Enter a description and specific instructions on how to perform the task.

5. If you have a data file or other information that you want to attach, click Add Attachment, locate the file, and then click OK.

   Repeat this step until all necessary files are attached.

6. Click OK.

The task is created and an email containing the task details is sent to the assigned user.

Modifying the DSA Description

The description that was provided when you created a DSA can be changed to provide a different or more detailed description as to the use of the DSA.

1. From the Edit menu, click Edit Description.

   
   

2. Modify or add to the existing description of the DSA

3. Click OK.