About Variables

Variables assume values that you define for them. You use them in components as you design business rules and templates.

You can create variables in the following ways:

  • Click Variable Designer butrton to launch the Variable Designer.
  • Create variables from within a rule, script, formula, or template, anywhere the Variable Selector dialog box is available.

    For example:

    • Open a rule, and then drag in a Member Range component.
    • Click Select button next to a dimension, and then select Variable.
    • In the Select Variable dialog box, click Create to create a variable.

When you create a variable, the variable is created at the level you choose: global, application, plan type, or business rule.

There are two types of variables:

  • Execution—When the business rule is launched, the calculation defined for the variable is performed. You can use execution variables in script components or fixed loop components.

    Note:

    Execution variables are not supported in Oracle Essbaseaggregate storage applications, including those used in Oracle General Ledger.

  • Replacement—When you are designing or launching the business rule, the variable is substituted with a calculation. You can use replacement variables in any component.

    You can create several types of execution and replacement variables. The variables you can create differ depending on the application type and whether you are creating an execution or a replacement variable.

You can create variables that prompt users to enter information when they launch a business rule. These runtime prompt variables prompt users for such information as members, text, dates, or numbers. The prompts tell users what type of data is expected.

For example:

  • Select a month.

  • Enter the expected number of customer visits per quarter.

  • Specify what percentage change in earnings you expect next month.

There are up to four database objects with which you can associate a variable, depending on the application type for which you are creating a variable. A variable can exist in multiple objects simultaneously and can have the same name in each object.