Information Design Tool (**Universe

Design Tool)
Creating a Universe using IDT
**Here the data is stored in a MS Access DB and connection to the DB is made
using ODBC**
Our intension is to design/develop a Universe, which can be used by the webI
users to create reports as per the requirements. The process is as follows;
1: Creating a project
2: Creating Database Connections
3: Creating Data Foundation layer
4: Insert Tables and Joins to DFX layer

Tutorial 2

5: Creating Business Layer

6: Creating Folders/Classes and Objects (Dimension, Detail, Measure) in BLX layer
7: Creating Queries to Test
8: Publish to repository

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Data Foundation Layer

Select your project (Right Click) -> New -> Data Foundation Layer

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Now you need to select your DF type, one could either use single data source or
multiple sources.
**If you are trying to create a universe layer over BW system, then IDT will dig
into the Infocube and not to the BEx query. **

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A DF layer has following sub tabs

Connection
Data Foundation
Aliases and Contexts
Parameters and List of Values
Properties

For adding tables go to Master -> Insert (+) -> insert Tables

Connection Name
Data Source
Tables
Detect primary Keys in
tables
Joins and Cardinality are
automatically selected

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We need to use joins to combine data from multiple tables in a meaningful way
(with respect to business logic). A join is a condition that links the data in separate
but related tables. There are different types of joins;

Equi Join or Inner Join
Table1.column_a = Table2.column_a
eg: SELECT COUNTRY.COUNTRY_NAME, REGION.REGION_NAME FROM COUNTRY, REGION
WHERE (COUNTRY.COUNTRY_ID = REGION.COUNTRY_ID)

Outer Join
Links two tables, where rows in one table may not match the common
column of the second table.
eg: SELECT COUNTRY.COUNTRY_NAME, REGION.REGION_NAME FROM COUNTRY, REGION
{oj COUNTRY LEFT OUTER JOIN REGION ON COUNTRY.COUNTRY_ID = REGION.COUNTRY_ID}

Theta Join
The join links tables based on a relationship other than equality between
two columns
eg: SELECT MODEL.MODEL_NAME, PRICE_RANGE.PRICE_RANGE FROM MODEL, PRICE_RANGE
WHERE (MODEL.MODEL_PRICE BETWEEN PRICE_RANGE.PRICE_MIN AND PRICE_RANGE.PRICE_MAX)

Recursive Join
Linking row value in a column with another row value from different
column in the same table
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eg: For a table showing employee information, an employee with an employee id will have a manager
with a manager id, where the manager_id can be cross linked to an employee id of the same table

Self-Restricting Join
This is a Universal condition rather than a join and should always be applied
against a table
eg: SELECT SALES.SALES_DATE, SALES.SALES_TOTAL, SALES.SALES_TYPE FROM SALE
WHERE (SALES.SALES_TYPE = S)

Short Cut Join

Provides a shortcut or alternative path between tables

From Master -> Insert -> Join

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SAP Business Objects 4.0 SP02

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SAP Business Objects 4.0 SP02