A business query built using a raw Interactive Reporting database connection creates tables and columns that are returned from the database as is. Therefore, column headings may not be user- friendly.
Note:
Interactive Reporting Studio supplies a default raw Interactive Reporting database connection called Sample.oce.
From raw tables and columns, pivots and charts are created, and dashboards are built. As raw Interactive Reporting database connections do not use metadata, the column names reflect the physical names of the tables; however, they may not be meaningful to end users.
A business query built using an Interactive Reporting database connection with references to metadata, contains a metadata definition that translates physical names in the database into business names using metadata tables. By using the database connection, a more user-friendly view of the database is available.
Note:
Interactive Reporting Studio supplies one such Interactive Reporting database connection, called Sample with Metadata.oce.
Pivots and charts are created with user-friendly names, and dashboards are built from them. As metadata database connections use metadata tables to assign practical names, the Metadata component can also use the tables to retrieve descriptions.
The Metadata component can be added to a previously constructed dashboard. Firstly, modify the sample metadata query, point it at the metadata tables and select the columns. The metadata query reads the metadata tables and displays dynamic information about the columns used by the dashboard.
The metadata query uses a raw Interactive Reportingdatabase connection, instead of a database connection with metadata, because the query needs direct access to the metadata tables. A database connection with metadata does not enable you to see the metadata tables.