Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
Again, executing an Essbase database calculation script can easily be performed
from just about anywhere. You can execute a calculation script manually through the
EAS tool, or through the Essbase Add-in for Microsoft Excel (provided your ID has
calculation access), or programmatically using a shelled MaxL script or an API call.
The benefits of using a painstakingly written Essbase database calculation script
are that you can specify the exact subset of data you wish to calculate.
Believe it or not, as amazing as an Essbase database calculation script is, there are a
couple of drawbacks too. One drawback is that sometimes, because of all the power,
an Essbase calculation script can be difficult to control. What we mean is that we can
sometimes write a calc that will calculate too much data or take too long to execute.
Also, when you create data using an Essbase database calculation script, the newly
created data is created as stored data which can be a problem if you are creating
too much of it. These are minor concerns which will be handled as you acquire
more experience.
Stored data member formula
The outline member formula on a stored member is one way to create the data
values you need in an Essbase database. It is very simple and easy to write, what
can be thought of as a snippet of a full blown calculation script in the member
formula editor located on the
Member Properties
screen.
Outline member formulas on stored members are also easy to execute as they
may execute anytime when the dimension in which they reside is calculated.
Dynamic Calc and Dynamic Calc and Store
Dynamic Calc and Dynamic Calc and Store are database outline member property
settings. Like we told you in the previous section, data created by an Essbase
database calculation script is stored in the database. When you set the storage
properties on a database member in the
Accounts
dimension to
Dynamic Calc
or
Dynamic Calc and Store
, the member formula will only execute when there is
a request for the data.
In the case of a dynamically calculated member, the resultant data is not stored in
the database, but is recreated every time there is another request for the data. With
a dynamic calc and store member, the data is created the first time there is a request,
then stored. On subsequent requests, the data will only be recreated if one of the
component values has changed or has been updated.
