You use the General tab to set options for database startup, calculations, and minimum permissions.
If you want to compose a description for the current database, in the Description box, you enter your text. For length limitations, see the Oracle Essbase Database Administrator's Guide.
For the current database, the “Database type” node displays Normal or Currency.
To set a block storage database to start automatically, in the Startup group, you select the first option or both options:
Allow users to start database—The database starts when a user attempts to retrieve data from it. The option is selected by default. You might clear the option, fox example, as a temporary measure to avoid memory problems when multiple databases are being used.
Start database when application starts—The database starts when its parent application starts.
If the current database is a block storage database, in the Calculation group, you select an option:
Aggregate missing values—If you never load data at parent levels, selecting the option may improve calculation performance. If the option is selected and you load data at the parent level, the parent-level values are replaced by the results of the database consolidation, even if the results are #MISSING values. The option is not selected by default.
Create blocks on equations—If you select the option, when you assign a non-constant value to a member combination for which no data block exists, Essbase creates a data block. The option is not selected by default because its selection can produce a very large database.
When you assign a constant to a member on a sparse dimension, Essbase creates a data block. Therefore, when assigning constants to sparse members (for example, “West = 5”), you need not select “Create blocks on equation.” However, when assigning anything other than a constant to a sparse member, if you want blocks created, you must select “Create blocks on equation.” For example, if no data exists for Actuals, a member of the sparse Scenario dimension, you must select “Create blocks on equation” to perform the following allocation: 2002Forecast = Actuals * 1.05;
Two-Pass calculation—If you select the option, after a default calculation, members that are tagged as two-pass are recalculated. The option is selected by default.
The two-pass tag is effective on members of the dimension tagged as accounts and on Dynamic Calc and Dynamic Calc and Store members of any dimension.
If the current database does not use EPM System security mode, from the “Minimum access level” list, you select a setting:
None: Users can access the database according to their individual permissions. None is the default global permission for newly created applications and databases.
Read: Users can view files, retrieve data values, and run report scripts.
Write: Users can view files, retrieve data values, run report scripts, and update data values.
Calculate: Users can view files, retrieve data values, run report scripts, update data values, and perform calculations.
Database Manager: Users can perform any and all database tasks, including modifying database outlines and files.
In the Data retrieval buffers group, you specify, in kilobytes, the sizes of the retrieval buffers. Increasing the sizes of the buffers may improve retrieval performance. See the Oracle Essbase Database Administrator's Guide for default, minimum, and recommended values.
Buffer size: Setting for the retrieval buffer, which is used to process and optimize retrievals from Spreadsheet Add-in and from report scripts. Increasing the size of the buffer may improve retrieval performance. See the Oracle Essbase Database Administrator's Guide for default, minimum, and recommended values.
Sort buffer size: Setting for the retrieval sort buffer, which is used that is to be sorted during retrievals. Increasing the size of the buffer may improve retrieval performance. See the Oracle Essbase Database Administrator's Guide for default, minimum, and recommended values.
“Optimizing Calculations” in the Oracle Essbase Database Administrator's Guide
“User Management and Security in EPM System Security Mode” in the Oracle Essbase Database Administrator's Guide
“Optimizing Reports and Other Types of Retrieval” in the Oracle Essbase Database Administrator's Guide
alter database (MaxL) in the Oracle Essbase Technical Reference
query database (MaxL) in the Oracle Essbase Technical Reference
setdbstate (ESSCMD) in the Oracle Essbase Technical Reference
setdbstateitem (ESSCMD) in the Oracle Essbase Technical Reference
getperfstats (ESSCMD) in the Oracle Essbase Technical Reference