Publishing Package from a Cube

Using Framework Manager, we can publish a package which could either be sourced from a database or a cube. Here we will be discussing on how to publish a package in Framework Manager, with cube as a source. Below listed are the steps to be followed in the process:

1. Create a cube (.mdc file) and save it in any location in the server.

2. Open Framework Manager and click on “Create a New Project”.

3. Give the name and location for your project and click “OK”.

4. Select the language for your project and click “OK”.

5. Now, you will get the “Metadata Wizard” with options to “Select Metadata Source”.

6. Click on “Data Sources” and “Next” to create a new data source for connecting our cube.

7. Click on “New” for creating a new data source and click “Next”.

8. Specify a name for the new data source to be created and click on “Next”.

9. Now, select the “Type” for the new data source connection. Select “Cognos PowerCube” for type.

10. Now, specify the location of the cube (.mdc file) and click on “Test the connection”.

11. Click on “Finish” to complete the creation of the data source connection to the cube.

12. Select the created data source and click on “Next” to complete the import process and then click on “Finish”.

13. The “Create Package” window will be displayed. Enter the name for the package and click on “Finish”.

14. Now, you will get the “Publish Wizard”; specify the publish location. Click “Next” and then click on “Publish”.

Your cube is now published in the portal. Do note that you cannot make any changes to the metadata while publishing the cube.

FRAMEWORK MANAGER

Q. What are the components/objects in a FM project?

Ø  The components of a Framework Manager project can be listed as:

       Project à Model à Namespace à Query Subject à Query Item

Q. What are the components of Framework Manager screen?

Ø  The different components can be listed as below:

a)     Project Viewer – shows project objects in a hierarchical view. Used to view, modify and create objects.

b)    Explorer Tab – shows the contents of a project like any file system. Used to view, create and modify objects and relationships.

c)     Diagram Tab – shows the relationships between objects in a project. Used to view, create and modify objects and relationships. Also used to change diagram settings, “Capture Screen” and “Set Focal Point”.

d)    Dimension Map – Used to view, create and modify hierarchies and levels for the dimension selected in Project viewer.

e)     Properties Pane – shows the properties of the object that is selected in the project viewer.

f)     Tools Pane – The different tabs in tools pane are listed below:

                                                     a)        Summary Tab

                                                    b)        Search Tab

                                                     c)        Dependencies Tab

Q. What is the extension of FM project file? What all files constitute a FM project?

Ø  The extension of a FM project file is .cpf.

Below is a list of all files that constitute a project:

a)     ProjectName.cpf – Project File (references the .xml files)

b)    IDLog.xml – used to track objects for models

c)     Log.xml – list of all modifications made to the model

d)    Model.xml – actual model data

e)     Preferences.xml –

f)     Persistent.txt – Diagram information

Q. What are the different types of Query Subjects?

Ø  The different types of query subjects can be listed as below:

a)     Data Source Query Subject.

b)    Model Query Subject.

c)     Stored Procedure Query Subject.

Q. What are the different types of Stored Procedures in Framework Manager?

Ø  Framework Manager supports only user-defined stored procedures. System stored procedures are not supported.

The different types of Stored Procedures in Framework Manager are:

1.       Data Query Stored Procedure – Issues a read-only transaction.

2.       Data Modification Stored Procedure – Writes a record to the data source.

Q. How to build a model and publish a package?

Ø  Steps to build a model and package:

1.     Open Framework Manager and click on “Create a new Project”.

2.     Select language and select data source.

3.     Select the tables, views, procedures etc. to import.

4.     Create relationship and click on import.

5.     Right click on the package and select to create a package option.

6.     Choose objects and select function sets.

7.     Select location and click on publish.

Q. How do you create IQD in Framework Manager?

Ø  We can create IQD by setting the externalize property and select property to IQD.

         Steps to follow:

          1. Select the Query subjects and go to Properties.

          2. Select externalize method option.

          3. Select property to IQD.

          4. Save the model.

          5. While publishing, specify the location for IQD files.

          6. You can find your IQD’s in the specified location after publishing the package.

Q. What is loop in Framework Manager?

Ø  Loop is a closed path (relation) that exists among 3 (or) more tables.

   For example, if we have '3' tables T1, T2, T3 then, a loop exists among these tables only when we create joins in the following fashion:

Loop:          T1 ---> T2 ---> T3 ---> T1

To resolve the above problem, we have to create a shortcut (or) Alias to the Table T1.

No Loop:      T1 ---> T2 ---> T3 ---> Alias (or) Shortcut of T1

Q. What is difference between Shortcut and Alias Shortcut?

Ø  Shortcut is a pointer to an object.

   While a regular shortcut is a simple reference to the target object; Alias shortcut behaves as a copy of the original object with completely independent behavior.