A BI data service can have up to two input ports and two output ports. Using the FILTER and VARIABLE input ports, you can set the input parameters for the BI object (BI query or query view). The results for the BI object are made available in the DATA output port. The INFO output port provides general parameters for the BI object.
● FILTER input port
The FILTER input port contains exactly one field (key) for each characteristic in the rows, columns, or free characteristics of the BI object. Each filter field is of type String and can contain a filter condition, for which you can select a single value, multiple values, intervals, and arbitrary selection options:
○ Single value
Enter the value, for example, PROD1.
○ Multiple single values
Enter the values separated by semicolons, for example, PROD1; PROD2; PROD4.
○ Intervals
Enter the lower and upper values separated by a minus sign (-), for example, PROD1-PROD3.
○ Arbitrary selection options
You can enter a combination of single values and intervals, for example, PROD1; PROD3; PROD5-PROD8.
● VARIABLE input port
The VARIABLE input port contains exactly one field (key) for each input-enabled variable of the BI object. You can specify whether the variables contain one single value, multiple single values, an interval, or a complete selection option. Each variable field is of type String and can contain selections with the same syntax as that used for filters.
If the BI object does not contain any input-enabled variables, the VARIABLE input port is not generated.
● DATA output port
The DATA output port is generated as follows:
○ A field is generated for each display type (key, text) of a characteristic in rows or columns, for example, Product_Text and Product_Display_Key.
○ The display for characteristic attributes is the same as that of characteristics.
○ If the BI object contains one key figure structure, three fields are generated for each structure member:
■ Field of type String for formatted values, for example, Revenue_FMTVALUE
■ Field of type String for units, for example, Revenue_UNIT
■ Numeric field for actual values, for example, Revenue_VALUE
Note that the field name is generated from the technical name of the structure element in the Query Designer (in the 'Revenue' example). If you do not specify a technical name for the structure element in the Query Designer, the GUID is used for the field name.
○ If the BI object contains a key figure structure and another structure, these three fields are generated for each member combination of the two structures.
● INFO output port
The INFO output port provides general parameters for the BI object, such as the name of the query, the data, and information about the last change made.