SAP Business Objects XI 3.

0: Universe Design

I. Loops in a Universe A loop exists when the joins between tables form a closed path. Loops can be resolved with aliases or contexts. II. Resolving SQL Traps SQL Traps (fan and chasm traps) make a query to return too many rows. Chasm traps is a type of join path between three tables when two many-to-one joins converge on a single table and there is no context in place that separates the converging join paths. You gen incorrect results when the following circumstances exists simultaneously: a. there is a "many-to-one-to-many" relationship between three tables in the universe; b. the query includes based on the two "many" tables; c. there are multiple rows returned for an object (usually a dimension) based on the "one" table. To resolve chasm traps modify the SQL parameters to "generate separate SQL queries for each measures" or create a context for each fact table (this solution works always!). Fan traps occur when there is a "one-to-many" join to a table that "fans out" into another "one-to-many" join to another table. You only get incorrect result from the fan trap when the query includes a measure object on the middle table (B) of the table path and an object (of any kind) from the subsequent table (C). Resolving fan traps includes: alter the SQL parameters for the universe (only works for measure objects), use a combination of aliases and contexts (create an alias for table B and then create appropriate contexts). III. Using Lists of Values You can create a cascading LOV which is a feature that allows you to associate an LOV to a series of objects defined in a hierarchy. IV. Creating Derived Tables and Indexes A derived table is a dynamic, virtual table that you create within the universe structure. Index awareness is the ability to take advantage of the indexes on key columns to speed data retrieval. Primary key awareness: by applying primary key index awareness on an object Universe Designer can substitute the object's column value with the associated index value. The generated query will use the key value instead of the actual column value. Foreign key awareness: by applying a foreign key awareness on an object Universe Designer can

restrict the vales returned without the need to join the tables. If you build a query involving filtering on a value in a dimension table, Universe designer can apply the filter directly on the fact table by using the dimension table foreign key. country_name in ('United Kingdom','USA') <=> country_id=1 or country_id=44 To set up index awareness right-click the object on which you want to set up index awareness and select object properties, then click the keys tab, insert and define key awareness.