Glossary
Access File

Contains information needed by WebFOCUS to access the data in a data source. The Access File includes the real name and location of the data source.

Access File Text View tab

A view tab that shows the description of the Access File for a synonym.

adapter

Manages the communication between the data interface and the data source. Passes data management requests to the data source and returns either answer sets or messages to the requestor.

business view

An alternative view of the Master File, where you can limit the fields available or create a subset of fields from the original Master File. Fields can be grouped into meaningful folders. Field names, titles, and descriptions can be customized for each business view.

Column Management User Preferences

Enables you to choose which columns to display on the grids for transformations, column selections, joins, and sorts.

cluster joins

Enable you to create a new file structure by linking existing synonyms of two or more relational tables and using the same or mixed data sources.

Create Synonym tool

A tool you can use to create synonyms for remote data sources configured with the WebFOCUS Reporting Server, or for tables that reside on a subserver.

custom field

A field whose value is not stored in the data source but whose value can be calculated from the data that is available there.

database administrator

A user who has unlimited access to the Master File and data source. This user can set up or change security restrictions for individual users. Only a database administrator can encrypt or decrypt a data source.

Data Management Language (DML)

A programming language used for manipulating data or files.

data profiling

Provides data characteristics for the columns in a synonym.

Data Servers area

Allows you to access data and develop applications directly on a remote WebFOCUS Reporting Server using Developer Studio tools. This area displays each WebFOCUS Reporting Server that the WebFOCUS Client can access, and permits development against multiple Reporting Servers. A Reporting Server may be configured on any supported platform.

data sources

See Master File.

Dimension Builder

Enables you to create logical views based on enterprise data (relational or legacy data sources) for multidimensional analysis without manually editing metadata. Dimension Builder works with relational and FOCUS data sources.

explicit logon

A logon procedure that passes the user ID and password you provide to a remote server.

field

A set of data pertaining to a specific topic.

Field View tab

A view tab that shows a hierarchy of segments and columns on the left with the attributes and values of the selected item in the Properties window. The Properties window displays by default on the right side of the tool.

filter

A selection criterion, or WHERE statement, that you can use to quickly select predefined criteria that limits the data included in a report or a graph.

group field

A field that is created by two or more alphanumeric fields, physically next to each other. It provides an efficient means for grouping similar or logically connected fields that will be accessed as a single unit, but do not warrant a separate segment.

Impact Analysis tool

A tool that helps you to generate a report to identify the procedures that access a specific Master File or field within a Master File. It helps you analyze the potential impact of modifying or deleting Master Files or fields. The Impact Analysis tool enables you to analyze data, control search criteria, save reports, and interactively open and edit procedures based on search results.

IWA (Integrated Windows Authentication, Windows only)

A logon procedure that passes your Windows user ID and password to the server when a connection is made.

join

A temporary connection between two or more data source files that share at least one common field. Once files are joined, each time a record is retrieved from the first file (host file), it also retrieves the matching records from the second file (cross-referenced file).

Join Editor dialog box

Allows you to create join maps and view sample data.

List View tab

A view tab that shows the list of available objects, as well as the attributes and values of the selected object.

Master File

Describes the data source from which you are reporting. The Master File is a map of the data source and all of the fields. By looking at the Master File, you can determine what fields are in the data source, what they are named, and how they are formatted. You can also determine how the fields in the data source relate to each other.

Modeling View tab

A view tab that provides a visual representation of the synonym. You can rearrange or add fields to the synonym.

OCCURS attribute

A segment in the Master File that describes repeating fields or groups in a non-FOCUS data source. The repeating group of fields is described as a descendent segment in the Master File, and the OCCURS attribute for that segment specifies how to determine the number of repetitions.

OLAP (Online Analytical Processing)

The category of software that allows users to analyze different dimensions of multidimensional data quickly and efficiently.

OLAP-enabled

Modified to create dimensions at the field level and associate fields with each dimension.

option settings

Enables you to set preferences and customize the look of the Synonym Editor.

parent/child hierarchy

A structure in which a parent is a value that supersedes other values, called children, attributed to it. A child is a value that is subordinate to a parent.

Password Passthrough

The logon scenario in which the user ID and password received from the client application are passed to a data source at connection time. The option requires for the server to be started with security off.

Rebuild utility

Enables you to restructure data sources, rebuild indexes, and check the integrity of data sources.

RDBMS

Acronym for relational database management system, a type of a database that stores data in the form of related tables.

relational expression

A type of expression that tests or defines some kind of relation between two entities.

reporting server

See WebFOCUS Reporting Server.

Reporting Server Console

Enables you to configure adapters, create and enhance synonyms, and perform a wide range of other server-related tasks.

run option settings

Allows you to determine the number of rows and columns to retrieve, as well as the default format, when sampling data.

Sample Data tool

A tool used to test the synonym for field data and to view the type of records returned. This can assist when performing joins, testing connectivity to data sources, and so on.

Segment View tab

A view tab that shows the segments that the synonym contains.

SQL SELECT

A type of statement that restricts a Synonym candidate to having one valid SQL Query.

synonym

Defines a unique logical name (also known as an alias) for each web services operation. Synonyms are useful because they insulate client applications from changes to the location and identity of a request. You can move or rename a request without modifying the client applications that use it. You need to make only one change, redefining the request synonym on the server. They provide support for the extended metadata features of the server, such as virtual fields and security mechanisms. Creating a synonym generates a Master File and an Access File.

Synonym Editor

A tool that enables you to view and edit the attributes of a synonym.

Text View tab

A view tab that shows the synonym in a text editor.

trace option settings

Enable you to configure tracing for the server.

trusted logon

The logon procedure used for a trusted connection, where the current logon user ID is passed to the server.

virtual field

A temporary field that is evaluated as each record that meets the selection criteria is retrieved from the data source.

WebFOCUS Reporting Server

Provides data access, number crunching, and report generation functionality.


WebFOCUS