Creating a Data Flow for Open ODS Views

For Open ODS views with source type Database Table or View, Virtual Table Using HANA Smart Data Access or DataSource (BW), you can create a data flow with a DataStore object (advanced) or a transformation. When the data flow is created, the source of the Open ODS view is automatically replaced with the created object.

Context

Data flow with DataStore object (advanced): You can create a DataStore object (advanced) with data flow as data persistency for the Open ODS view. In this case, it is comparable with a Persistent Staging Area (PSA) where data can be further processed. For reporting purposes and for using the CompositeProvider, we recommend using the Open ODS view directly.

Transformation: You can use the transformation with data flow to perform data type conversions, assignments or string operations, for example on the source data of an Open ODS view.

For Open ODS view with a database table or a virtual table as a source, the data flow is generated in two steps: the first step is to generate a DataSource, which can be used as a source for the Open ODS view. The second step is to create the target object with the associated data flow.

Creating DataStore Objects (Advanced)

Procedure

  1. On the General tab, choose Generate Dataflow under Semantics.
    A dialog box opens. Enter the target object for which you want to generate a data flow.
  2. If the Open ODS view has a database table or a virtual table as a source, create a DataSource in the first step:
    1. Select the object type DataSource as the target object.
    2. Assign a DataSource name.
    3. Choose OK.
    • The system now creates a DataSource in the source system of the Open ODS view in application component NODESNOTCONNECTED. The fields of this DataSource are created from the source fields of the Open ODS view .
    • The system replaces with Open ODS view with the source object. The source object is now the DataSource.
  3. If the Open ODS view now has a DataSource as the source, create a DataStore object (advanced):
    1. Select the object type DataSource object (advanced) as the target object.
    2. Assign a name for the DataStore object (advanced).
    3. Specify what to do with the data types of the fields.

      The BW analytic manager only supports specific data types for reporting. If the source uses different data types, these types are automatically converted at runtime.

      If you create the target object with BW data types, this conversion does not need to be performed at runtime. In addition, this makes it easier to use the target objects in other BW objects.

    4. Press OK.

Results

  • The system creates a DataStore object with an active table in the InfoArea of the open ODS view. The fields of this table are transferred from the fields of the structure of the Open ODS view. Associations to Open ODS view fields are ignored when the DataStore object is created.
  • The system replaces with Open ODS view with the source object. The source object is now the DataStore object.
  • The system creates a transformation between the DataSource and the DataStore object and a data transfer process for this transformation.

Creating Transformations

Procedure

  1. On the General tab, choose Generate Dataflow under Semantics.
    A dialog box opens. Enter the target object for which you want to generate a data flow.
  2. If the Open ODS view has a database table or a virtual table as a source, create a DataSource in the first step:
    1. Select the object type DataSource as the target object.
    2. Assign a DataSource name.
    3. Choose OK.
    • The system now creates a DataSource in the source system of the Open ODS view in application component NODESNOTCONNECTED. The fields of this DataSource are created from the source fields of the Open ODS view .
    • The system replaces with Open ODS view with the source object. The source object is now the DataSource.
  3. If the Open ODS view now has a DataSource as the source, create an InfoSource as the transformation target:
    1. Select the object type InfoSource as the target object.
    2. Assign a value for the InfoSource.
    3. Specify what to do with the data types of the fields:
      Option Description
      Data Types of Source Object If you want to create the target object close to the source, with the data type of the source that is, select this option.
      BW Data Types If you want to create a target object that is close to BW (in other words, with BW data types), select this option.
    4. Press OK.

Results

  • The system creates an InfoSource in application component NODESNOTCONNECTED. The fields of this InfoSource are copied from the fields of the structure of the Open ODS view. Associations to Open ODS view fields are ignored when creating the InfoSource. The InfoSource is based on fields.
  • The system creates a transformation between DataSource and InfoSource.
  • The system replaces with Open ODS view with the source object. The source object is now the transformation.
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