Calculation views Flashcards
Describe a “Measure”
A numerical value such as price, weight or volume that can be processed as part of an arithmetic equation such as SUM, AVERAGE, TOP n VALUES…
Unit price
Unit Weight
Describe an “Attribute”
An element that is used to describe a measure;
Product Id
Product number
Describe a “Dimension”
A grouping of attributes that can be used to give further meaning to a Measure. For example grouping Country and state to form a location Dimension.
Describe a star schema?
A single fact table that references one or more dimension tables
Describe a Hierarchy
A group of fact tables arranged by levels that become more granular as they descend
Describe a “Semantic”
Something that gives the measure context. Such as dollars or pounds or miles. Think about a distance measurement of 25. Miles or kilometers would be the semantic
How are calculation views used?
To create a Virtual Data Model (VDM) that is used for answering a specific data need based on measurements, attributes/dimensions.
How can a calculation view (VDM) be made more meaningful/readable
The column names can be altered, labels can be assigned, additional calculations can take place
Give the five main benefits of calculation views?
1) Nothing needs to be pre-calculated. The front end pushes the calculation to the DB
2) Reusability. One View can be used by other programs or other views
3) Flexibility. The view can be enhanced to accept parameters
4) Adaptability. The view can adapt based on the data form requested (one column as key vs 2)
5) Easy to transport. Moving views between hana systems is straight forward.
Describe the difference between “Design time” and “Run Time” views?
Design time views are built using graphical tools.
Run time views are database catalog objects that are column based and can be used in queries
Are calculation views Design time or Run time?
They can be both
Name a tool that can be used to create calculation views?
SAP’s WEB IDE
True or False. Analytical calculations like Calcultion views use data from the database and application servers?
False. Analytical views only use data from the database.
What are the 3 HANA engines for calculation views?
Join engine
OLAP engine
Calculation engine
What is SQL console and how is it used?
It, along with SQI Console are eclipse tools used for designing calculation views and other SQL statements. t is different than WEB IDE and is probably better suited for someone like me.
What are the two approaches for testing calculation view data?
Standard data preview (Web IDE)
Custom SQL query (SQL console)
Which of the two data preview approaches is best for complex calculation scenarios?
Custom SQL query thru SQL Console
What three tabs exist in the WEB IDE data preview?
Raw data, Analysis, Hierarchies
What can be done to prevent the default query from executing immediately?
Require that a filter be set before the data retrieval
How many types of calculation views are there? Name them
There are 4 types. SQL access only Dimension Cube Cube with star join
Describe a SQL access only view
This is an intermediate type view that is only used by other calculation views. it is not exposed to outside development tools thus it avoids the construction of extra, optimized views
Describe a Dimension view
A dimension view is only based on attributes. It does not handle measures. Consider a Dimension view as a “Select Distinct” . Numeric columns are treated as attributes. this view is also used to supply information to other views. Almost think of it as a preclude to a “for all entries” type of select
Describe a cube view?
This is a true calculation , it is optimized for OLAP. It does not allow dimension types
Describe a cube view with star join
A combination of Cube views providing a wide range of data
How mny data sources exist for calculation views and what are they?
There are 9 of them;
Column based tables, Row based tables, SQL access only views, Graphical calculation views, CDS views with parameters, CDS views without parameters, Table functions, virtual tables, graphical workspaces
What are the two ways to determine a table type?
Database explorer or SQL console
What system table can be used to determine a table type
M_TABLE
What is SQL script used for?
Defining complex data sources. into a table function. These data sources can then be used by calculation views.
What is a Dimension calculation view good for?
Providing context. For example if a product id was an attribute a dimension view would provide additional information regarding the product from master data tables
What two calendars can be used in calculation views
Gregorian and Fiscal
What node is automatically generated for all calculation views?
The semantics node
