Defining a Data Set

The report writer defines data sets which are used for providing objects to insert into a report (report definition). A data set contains a SQL query which represents the logic to retrieve data from a single data source. The data set can use parameters in its logic.

When creating a data set, the report writer defines a name for the data set, selects the query type (logical or physical), writes the query, then validates the accuracy of the query before saving it. The intent of the validation is to make sure the query is executed by the system.

Note: When creating data sets, logical SQL is the recommended SQL type over physical SQL.

Note: When creating data sets using logical SQL, OBI or OAS Answers can be used as a reference to learn the syntax and save time. Logical SQL is generated automatically in OBI or OAS Answers. The syntax is the same between OBI or OAS Answers and BIP except for the way prompts are managed. If you leave the column aliases created by OBI or OAS (s1, s2, s3, etc), those aliases will be used in the xml. It is recommended to remove or rename the aliases created in OBI or OAS. The syntax for the parameter is a colon followed by the parameter name. For example when writing a where clause utilizing a parameter named req_id the syntax is as follows:

WHERE("Requisition Identification"."Req. Identifier" = (:req_id)