A query is a request for information from a database. Queries take the form of a command language that lets you select, insert, update, find out the location of data, and so forth.
The standard command language for getting information from and updating a relational database is Structured Query Language (SQL). SQL statements are used both for interactive queries for information from a relational database and for gathering data for reports.
Multidimensional databases also require a language that allows you to express multidimensional queries; however, to date, there is no standard. MDX (Multidimensional Expression Language) is used by Microsoft’s OLE DB for OLAP API and OLAP Services. For Oracle Essbase, Interactive Reporting uses MaxL (Multidimensional Access Language). MDSQL (Multidimensional Query Language) is yet another query language.
With Interactive Reporting, you do not need to know SQL or any multidimensional query languages to create powerful database queries. You build queries by choosing the data to retrieve from a visual representation of the database.
Interactive Reporting offers two query methods.
Query—Displays the structure of the relational database as tables (or topics), which are used to create a data model—the visual representation of the database tables. An Interactive Reporting document can have more than one data model.
OLAPQuery—Displays the structure of the multidimensional database as a hierarchical tree. OLAP queries are displayed in a form similar to a pivot table, except the data comes straight from the OLAP server.
CubeQuery—Is the Interactive Reporting interface with Essbase 7.x, and 9.x databases. It provides access to the cube in which multidimensional data can be analyzed and complex calculations can be applied before and after the queries are processed. The resulting data set can be shown with relational data side-by-side in a dashboard report, or downloaded to a results set and joined to relational sources.
An Interactive Reporting document can contain one or more relational Query sections, as well as one or more OLAPQuery sections. This allows users access to information in organizations that have both types of databases.