Understanding Database Artifacts
Files that are related to databases are called artifacts (or objects). Database artifacts perform actions against one or more databases, such as defining calculations. By default, artifacts are stored in their associated database folder, and can also be saved to a client computer or to other available network directories.
Common artifact types:
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A database outline (a storage structure definition)
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Source data files
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Rules for loading data and building dimensions dynamically (rule files)
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Scripts that define how to calculate data (calculation scripts)
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Partition definitions
Understanding Database Outlines
Database outlines define the structure of a multidimensional database, including all the dimensions, members, aliases, properties, types, consolidations, and mathematical relationships. The structure defined in the outline determines how data is stored in the database.
When a database is created, an outline for that database is created automatically.
See Creating an Application and Database and Creating and Changing Database Outlines.
Understanding Source Data
Source data is external data that is loaded into an Essbase database. Common types of source data include the following:
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Text files
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External databases, such as an SQL database
Understanding Rule Files for Data Load and Dimension Build
An Essbase database contains no data when it is created. Data load rule files are sets of operations that Essbase performs on data from an external source as the data is loaded, or copied, into the Essbase database. Dimension build rule files create or modify the dimensions and members in an outline based on data in an external data source. Rules files are typically associated with a particular database, but you can define rules for use with multiple databases. One rule file can be used for both data loads and dimension builds. Rule files have a .rul extension.
See Load Rules and Work with Load Rules.
Understanding Calculation Scripts
Calculation scripts are text files that contain sets of instructions telling Essbase how to calculate data in the database. Calculation scripts perform calculations different from the consolidations and mathematical operations that are defined in the database outline. Because calculation scripts perform specific mathematical operations on members, they are typically associated with a particular database. You can, however, define a calculation script for use with multiple databases. Calculation scripts files have a .csc extension.
See Developing Calculation Scripts for Block Storage Databases.