Business Objects Step by Step Tutorial

BUSINESS OBJECTS CLASS Step by Step

Business Objects is the reporting tool from SAP Company (2010).
As Business Objects is the reporting tool from SAP Company, it is called as
SAP BO
Current Version of BO is: BO-XI R/3
BO: Business Objects.
XI: Version 11(in rowman characters)
R/3: Release 3. ------ BO Version Release 3.
BO-XI R/3 = BO-XI R/2 + SAP Integrations (It is available from 2008 onwards)
SAP BW/BI Integration services
(SAP BW and BI are ETL tools from SAP Company)
VOYAGER connection
Xcelcius
Dashboard Manager
Live Office
Widgets

BO-XI R/2: It is the reporting tool from Business Objects.
BO-XI R/2 = BO 6.5 + Crystal Reports (2001)
BO 6.5 = BO 5.0 + WEBI (Web reporting) (1998)
B0 5.0 = BO Local Reports (4.5) + Universe + DESKI (local reports)
(1995)

UNIVERSE:
Universe is interface between database environment and reporting
environment.
Universe is a file created with extension .unv. It has source database
connection information and source business information in the form of Tables
to be used by Reporting Environment.
To create Universe following are the main Steps:
1. Universe Parameters 6. Create Classes
2. Insert Tables 7. Create Objects
3. Insert Joins 8. Create Hierarchies
4. Detect Loops 9. Export Universe
5. Resolve Loop
Universe Parameters:
Creating the Universe with required Database connectivity is called as
Universe. Here universe is the file created with extension .unv.
Insert Tables:
Adding required business Tables from Database Environment into Universe
structure panel is called as Insert Table. Whenever a table is added into
Universe, only table Metadata is added but not the table with data. As universe
is used to support SQL Query development, for preparing SQL Queries table
Metadata is enough.
Insert Joins:
Using this step we apply the relation between the Tables in Universe Structure
Panel.
To apply relation between Two Tables we need to use following Two Concepts:
1. Type of Join
2. Type of Cardinality.
Type of Join:
It specifies how data to be merged between two Tables. In Universe following
are the type of joins to specify which type data to be merged.
a. Inner Join. [Returns common data between two tables.]
b. Left Outer Join. [Returns common data between two tables and all extra
records in Left Table.]
c. Right Outer Join. [Returns common data between two tables and all extra
records in Right Table.]
Note: Universe does not support FULL Outer Join.


FAQ: In what cases data in Database table can be duplicated?
Ans: if there is no primary key in the table or using Composit Key also there is
possibility of data duplications in the column.
Composite Keys: If the Primary key is assigned to more than one table column
then it is called as Composit key.

Cardinality: It defines data relation between the Tables as
1. One to- One
2. One to- Many
3. Many to- One
4. Many to- Many
FAQ: In the database technically how many One to- One relations are
possible?


Ans: In this example One record in Table-1 can have exactly One record in
Table-2. This relation is called as One to- One Relation.
FAQ: How many One-to-Many or Many-to-One relations are possible?

Ans: If one table has Primary key and another table has Foriegn key relation,
from First Table is One-to-Many relation and from second Table is Many-to-
One relation.
FAQ: How many Many-to-Many relations is possible?
Ans: If the Tables are related between Two non key columns or Two Composit
key columns then there is a possibility of Many-to-Many relations.

IME SLASH:
Time taken between Query Request and Query Response is called Time
Slash.

LOOP:
If there are N Tables with N Relations applied with each other, it is called as
LOOP.
Loop is a Drawback in reporting. Because of Loop, reports will display the data
in Time Slash.
Finding the possible loops in Universe structure panel is called as Detecting
Loops.
(Detect Loop is the option used in Universe to find possible Loops)
To resolve the Loops we can use 4 techniques in Business Objects.
Note: if the loops are deleted from structure panel, the report output is
displayed with high efficiency.
To resolve the LOOPS:
1) Delete Unnecessary Joins
2) Create Alias Tables
3) Create Shortcut Joins
4) Create Context
Delete Unnecessary Joins:


As per reporting rules, for N tables we need N-1 Joins for SQL Queries.


In Industries most of the reports are created using Transaction based master
data. As order_details is the Transaction Table and sales_branch and
sales_staff are master tables J1 and Jj2 are commonly used joins. By deleting
J3, if business requirements can be satisfied then delete J3 join.
Second Solution: In a Loop, if there is Many-Many Cardinality joins existing
then Many-Many joins can be deleted directly.



Create Alias Table:

* Generate a report to display orders collected by staff in which branch (J1 and
J2)
*Generate a report to display orders of Branch (J1)
* Generate a report to display orders collected by Staff (J2)
* Generate a report to display list of employees working for Branch





CONTEXT:
Context is another resolving solution for LOOPS in Business Objects, which
creates memory block in BO Repository with set of join results. As the memory
is already created in BO Repository Data retrieval, is possible.
BO Repository is the Database of Business Objects. This is divided in to 3
areas as:
1) Security Domain Area
2) Universe Domain Area and
3) Document Domain Area
Security Domain Area:
Security Domain Area has the users and user groups to control
Authentication of BO Repository.
Universe Domain Area:
Universe Domain Area is the part of BO Repository to hold all the
universes which are exported from BO Designer to be accessed by reporting
environment like WEBI,DESKI and etc.,
Document Domain Area:
Document Domain Area is the area where created documents are saved
to be accessed by client environment with corresponding Authentications.
SHORTCUT:
In 2001, in BO XI R2 Shortcut Joining are introduced. Using this property BO
assigns secondary level priority for the joins in the LOOP. If all Tables are used
in Reports then OLAP Engines uses the Main Joins and ignores the Secondary
Join. If main Joins are not used then we use Secondary Level Joins in
Reporting.

***Best Resolving techniques for LOOPS in BO are:
1) Delete Unnecessary Joins
2) Use Shortcut Joins.

6) CREATE CLASSES:
A class is the presenting Object in Universe to present Business
Information to the reporting Environment.
A class is assigned with one or more Tables information to be presented
to the Reporting layer.
A class represents Schema in Universe.

A class is a collection of Objects.
Objects represent a table column for reporting.
Simply, reporting columns in Business Objects are called as Objects.
*Basesd on type of data to be displayed in reporting, Objects are classified as 3
types.
* Dimension Object
* Detail Objects
* Measure Objects
Dimension Object: It is the default property applied for every database column
added inside the class. This property can be assigned with all data types of
source database to display source business data as it is.
Detail Objects: Depedent Objects in Business Objects are called as Detail
Objects. Using this property we need to select a parent Dimension Object.
While reporting detail object is also added with parent dimension object
automatically.
Measure Objects: This property is appled only for Numeric Columns added
with corresponding Aggregated functions to display summary information in
the reporting.

6) HIERARCHY:
Hierarchy is collection of Dimension objects arrangement to support
Drill Down and Drill Up functionalities.
In hierarchies we can find two options as
1) Default Hierarchies.
2) Custom Hierarchies.
All objects added under the class panel are displayed as Default Hierarchies.
Based on these default hierarchies we can create required Custom hierarchies
to support RRI Concepts.
RRI: Report to Report Interactions.

----Communicating TOP Level hierarchy to next level hierarchy is called as
Drill Down.
----Communicating from Bottom level hierarchy to Previous level hierarchy is
called as Drill Up.
*Export Universe: Using this option, the .unv file is send from local system into
BO Server System (BO Repository) Universe Domain Area to make universe
accessed by reporting authors.




Source NON BW/BI Systems Source BW/BI Systems
1) Universe Parameters 1)Universe Parameters
2) Insert Tables 2) Insert
Tables
3) Insert Joins 3) Insert Joins
4) Detect Loops 4) Detect Loops [not allowed]
5) Resolve Loops 5) Resolve Loops
6) Create Classes 6) Create Classes
7) Create Objects 7) Create Objects
8) Create Hierarchies 8) Create Hierarchies
9) Export Universe 9) Export Universe

NON-SAP, whenever Business Objects is loaded there is sample Database loaded
asefashion.mdb.






A sample Database and Creating Universe

This sample Database has following Tables.....


STEP-1
Creating the universe for source efashion Database (efashion.mdb)

Use the following Navigations to use ODBC Drivers for efashion Database.
---Click on Start menu
---Settings
---Control Panel
---Double click on Administrator tools
---Double click on Datasources (ODBC)
---Click on System DSN ---Click on Add
---Select Microsoft Access Driver --- Click on Finish
---Name the Database
---Click on Select
---Select efashion.mdb Database from C drive
---Click on Ok ---Click on Ok---Click on Ok
To enable the BO services click on
---Click on Start menu
---Programs
---BO XI 3.1
---Business Objects Enterprise
---Central Configuration Manager
It displays the list of BO services.
---Right click on Server Intelligent Agent ---Start
---Right click on Apache Tomcat ---Start
We can start /stop services which are needed for us.
NOTE:
System: ABC [name of the computer where BO services are running]
Username: Administrator
Password: ............... [By default BLANK]
Authentication: Enterprise
In Authentication Enterprise indicates BO services.
1) LDAP-----indicates Directory Services
2) SAP -----indicates Source BW Systems
3) Standalone(no CMS)----Local Database
4) Windows AD----Windows Administrator Services.
5) Windows NT----Windows Network Services

To create the Universe, use the following Navigations.
---Click on Start menu
---Programs
---BO XI 3.1
---Business Objects Enterprise
---Designer
---Enter BO Login Information
---Select Authentication as Enterprise ---Click on Ok
---Click on Cancel for Quick Design
---Click on New Universe (ctrl+N)
---Name the Universe (accessUniverse)
---Click on NEW to create a new Connection
---Click on Next in initial screen
---Name the Connection
---Expand Microsoft
---Expand the required Version of Access
---Select ODBC drivers
---Click on Next
---Select the Created DSN--- [DSN11AM]
---Click on Test Connection
---If the server is responding Click on Ok
---Click on Next
---Click on Next
---Click on Finish
---Click on Ok
---SAVE the Universe (ctrl+S).
By default the Universe is saved with the extension (.unv)



Navigations for Creating the Universe Connection for the Source ORACLE

Navigations for Creating the Universe Connection for the Source ORACLE.
----Create New Universe, Name the Universe.
----Click on New to create a Connection.
----Click on Next in initial screen
----Name the Connection
----Expand the ORACLE Database
----Expand the corresponding versions of Oracle
----Select Oracle Client
----Click on Next
----Username: Scott
Password: tiger
Service: oracle
----Click on Test Connection
If the server is responding Click on Next
----Click on Next
----Click on Finish
----Click on OK
----Save the Universe
Note: The drivers which are installed with corresponding Database are
called Native Drivers.
OCI-------Oracle Call Interface
Creating the Universe for SQL Server

Server name: ABC [system name where SQL Server services are running]
Login User: sa
Password: sa
Database: gosl
Navigations:
----Create the Universe
----Name the Universe
----Click on NEW to create a Connection to the SQL Server
----Click on Next in Initial Screen
----Name the Connection
----Expand the Microsoft
----Expand MS SQL Server 2005
----Select OLEDB providers
----Click on Next
----Give the Connection details
----Click on Test Connection
If the server is Responding Click on OK
----Click on Next
----Click on Finish
----Click on OK
----Save the Universe
STEP2: Navigations For efashion sample database.

STEP2:
Navigations For efashion sample database.
Insert Tables
Click on Insert menu
----Tables
----Displays the list of Source Database Tables
----Select the Required Tables
----Click on Insert
----Select the Required Tables
----Click on Insert
These are added in to Universe Structure Panel.
----Click on Close
----Arrange the Tables in Database Design Format
----SAVE the Universe
STEP3: Insert Joins

STEP3:
Insert Joins
To display the Joins between Tables in Universe Structure Panel use following
Navigations
1) Manual Join
---- Without selecting a Table drag a table column [Article_ID of
Article_lookup] in to corresponding column of second table [Article_ID of
Article_color_lookup]
---- Double click on Applied Join [link]
----Click on Detect to find the Cardinality
----Click on OK
2) Insert Menu Join
----Click on Insert Menu ----Join
It opens Edit Join Interface
---- Select the First table as Article_lookup
---- Select the Second table as Article_lookup_criteria
---- Select Article_ID between the two tables
----Click on Detect
----Click on OK
3) Auto Detecting Joins
---- Click on Tools menu----Automated Detections----Detect Joins
It displays the possible Joins from Universe Structure Panel.
----Select the Required Joins----Click on Insert.
For Detecting Joins we need to depend on Detect Cardinalities to Apply Data
Relationships.
Navigations:
----Click on Tools menu
----Automated detection
----Detect Cardinalities
FAQ:
1) How many types of joins can be applied from Universe?
Ans: There are 5 types of joins
1) Inner Join [Equi Join]
2) Left Outer Join
3) Right Outer Join
[Full Outer Join is not supported by Universe]
4) Theta Join
5) Shortcut Join

Inner Join: If the Join condition is applied with only = [equal to] operator is
called as Inner Join or Equi Join
Using this property only common data of two tables is returned.
Right Outer Join: In the Edit join screen if Left side Outer join is selected it is
treated as Right Outer Join
Internally it returns common data between the two tables and all extra records
in Right Table.
Left Outer Join: In Edit Join screen, if the Right side Outer Join is selected it is
treated as Left Outer Join
Using this property, it returns common data between the two tables and all
extra records in Left Table.
Theta Join: While applying the join condition if we select other than to Equal
operator then it is called as Theta Join or Non-Equi Join
Shortcut Join: This property is recommended to resolve the Loop by applying
Second Priority for the Joins.
STEP---4: Detecting Loops:

STEP---4:
Detecting Loops: Using this option we find number of Loops possible from
Universe Structure Panel Tables.
Navigations:
----Click on Tools Menu
----Automated Detections
----Detect Loops
----Click on it
It displays the number of Loops and selected Joins from Structured Panel.
STEP---5: To resolve Loops:

STEP---5:
To resolve Loops: To resolve the Lops use the following methods
1) Delete Unnecessary Joins
---- Any join which has Many-to-Many cardinality can be deleted from
Structure Panel.
Note: While detecting cardinalities Business Objects reads only few records
from the Database Table and returns the relation. To confirm the extract
relations Manual Checking is Possible in Universe Structure Panel using
----Right Click on required table
----Click on Table Values.
Check the data in common Column which is used in joins. Repeated data
display indicates that the cardinality is Many.
2) Creating Alias Tables
----Select any Master Table or Dimension Table [Dimension tables are
also called as Lookup Tables].
----Click on Alias Name the Alias Table
----Click on Ok
----Delete the Join which is causing the Loop and create New Join
condition between Alias table and Corresponding Fact Tables.


3) Shortcut Joins:
Double click on Any Join which is having a Loop
----Double click
----Select the Checkbox-----Shortcut Join
----Click on Ok
4) Context:
To create a Context, select the required Joins (which has no Loops)
----Click on Insert Menu
----Context
----Name the Context
----Click on Check to find Loops
----If no Loops are displayed---click on Ok
----Click on Ok.
STEP 6: Creating Classes

6) CREATING CLASSES:
One class represents Schema.
A class is assigned with one or more Tables information.
A Table converted in to class can be accessed by Reporting.
To create the class use the following Navigations:
---- Click on Insert Menu------Class
---- Name the Class
---- In the same way create one more Class.
*** Class: Enterprise Information
SubClass: Business Activity Information.
SD (class)
Sales (subclass)
Billing (subclass)
Shipping (subclass)
Agreements/Contracts (subclass)
FICO
Accounts Receivables (subclass)
Accounts Payables (subclass)
Cost Centre (subclass)
Bank Accounts (subclass)
G/L Accounts (subclass) [General Ledger]
STEP 7: Create / Insert Objects

7) CREATE / INSERT OBJECTS:
Reporting columns are called as Objects.
To create the Object without selecting any Tables from structure panel, drag
the Required column into Class Panel.
By default for every Source Column Dimension Object is the property added, to
display source business data as it is in reporting.

Second Procedure to create the Objects:
---- Select the required class from Class Panel
---- Click on Insert Menu
---- Select Object
---- Name the Object [Article ID]
Note: Here Object name can be added with Spaces.
---- Select the Data type as Number
---- Place the Cursor in select Statement
---- Click on Browse in select Area.
---- From Tables and Columns Expand the required Table
---- Double click on the required column
---- Click on Parse to check the Syntax.
---- If parsing is Ok
---- Click on Ok
Data Cleansing:
Converting Source Non-Unique Data Format into Unique data Format is
called as Data Cleansing.
Data Scrubbing:
Adding Extra column with required Business expression is called as
Data Scrubbing.
Data Merging:
Combining two Tables data is called as Data Merging.
Data Aggregation:
Converting Source Detailed data into summary Format is called as Data
Aggregation.
Note: Manual Navigation is recommended to support Data Cleansing and Data
Scrubbing options.
Data Cleansing in Universe

DATA CLEANSING CONCEPT IN UNIVERSE:
----Click on Insert Menu
----Object
----Name the Object
----Type----character
Place the cursor in Select
----Click on Browse
----From Functions area------Expand character
----Double click on Ucase Function.
----Expand Tables and Columns
----Double click on Month name
The expression is applied as Ucase (Table name. Column name)
----Click on Parse
If Parsing is Ok ----Click on Ok
Data Scrubbing in Universe

DATA SCRUBBING CONCEPT IN UNIVERSE:
----Click on Insert Menu
----Object
----Name the Object [overall_cost]
----Data Type----Number
Place the cursor in Select
----Browse
----Expand shopfacts---Double click on amount_sold multiplied by Double
click on quantity_sold [amount_sold * quantity_sold]
---- Click on Parse
If Parsing is Ok ----Click on Ok


CONDITION BASED DATA SCRUBBING:
----Click on Insert Menu
----Object
----Name the Object [discount]
----Data Type----Number
Place the cursor in Select area
----Browse
----Expand Character functions
----Double click on IIF (If and only If)
----Double click on quantity_sold and type >=10, place the cursor in true
condition area----Double click on amount_sold multiplied by 0.12, place the
cursor in false condition area ---Double click on amount_sold multiplied by
0.04
Finally the expression is
IIF (shop_facts.quantity_sold>=10, shop_facts.amount_sold*0.12,
shop_facts.amount_sold*0.04)
---- Click on Parse
If Parsing is Ok ----Click on Ok
Data Merging/ Aggrigation

DATA MERGING:
The joins applied in Universe structure panel between the Two Tables is
the Data Merging.
DATA AGGREGATION:
It is the process of converting Source detail data into Summary data, for
the numeric objects (FACTS) under the class panel.
---Double click on amount_sold
---Select Object from the class panel
---Click on Properties Tab
---Select the Qualification as Measure and select the required aggregated
function. By default is Sum.
---Click on Ok
Note: One source table column is not only added for one time under the class
panel, it can be added for any number of times based on Business needs.
If report requirement is to display summary totals of amount_sold and also
average total of amount_sold, add amount_sold for two times as an Object in a
class. For the first Object add the qualification Measure with the function Sum.
For the second Object add the qualification Measure with the function Average.
Query Filter/ Report Filter/ Level Restrictions

Query Filters:
If the Filter conditions are applied at Database Table is called as Query Filters.
Report Filters:
If the filter conditions are applied at reporting environment is called as Report
Filters.
If the Filters are applied in Universe, these are called as Query Filters as
Universe gets only restricted data into Reporting environment.
In the Universe, we can apply two types of Filters as
-------Object level Filter
-------Universe level Filter
Object level Restrictions/Filters:


Universe Level Restrictions/Filters:

To apply Object Level Restrictions
--------Double click on the required object
--------Place the cursor in where class and apply the required conditions.
To apply Universe Level Restrictions
-----Select the Radiobutton filters in Class Panel
-----Click on Insert Menu
-----Select Condition
-----Place the cursor in where class
-----Apply the condition
-----Select the checkbox; use the filter as mandatory in query
-----Select the Radiobutton Apply on Universe or Apply on class



STEP 8: CEATING HIERARCHIES:

Using this reporting option we can enable Drilldown and Drillup options.
In the Universe, Hierarchy is created using Dimension objects under the Class
panel. All the Objects existing under the class panel as Dimensional object are
treated as Default Hierarchies.
Custom Hierarchy:
It is used to define own Hierarchy level based on existing dimension object
under the Default Hierarchy.
To create the Custom Hierarchies
----Click on Tools menu
----Hierarchies
----Displays the List of Default Hierarchies
----Select the Radiobutton Custom Hierarchies
----Click on New
----Name the Hierarchy
----Add Year from the Default Hierarchies into Custom Hierarchy area.
----Drag Quarter under Year Hierarchy
----Drag Month name under Quarter Hierarchy
----Then WeekID under Month name
----Click on Ok
Note:
When Custom Hierarchies are created, the Default Hierarchies are disabled in
Reporting Environment.
When Multiple Custom Hierarchies are crated at the time of Reporting
Business Objects prompts to select the required Hierarchy level to be used in
reporting.

STEP 9: EXPORT UNIVERSE

Using this Reporting option, the Universe will be migrated from Local system
into the Universe domain area for making universe available for all reporting
clients.
Note: For Local systems Export Universe is not required as Client and Server is
on the same system.
CREATING WEBI REPORTS
Based on the Universe created
----Click on Start Menu
----Programs
----BO XI 3.1
----Business Objects Enterprise
----Web Intelligence Rich Client
----Enter BO Login information
----Click on Logon
----Place the cursor in Create New Document based on Data Source
----Click on browse for more Data Source
----Select Radiobutton Universe
----Click on Next
----Select the created Universe
----Click on Ok
----Opens Create Query Panel
----Drag the required Reporting Objects into Resulting Area
----Click on Run Query
It generates a Report
While Saving WEBI Documents, by default it is saved with extension .wid
[Web Intelligence Document]
Business Objects : Basic Question and Answers


1) What is Business Objects?
Business Objects is a Dynamic Business intelligence reporting solution from Business Objects.
BUSINESS OBJECTS is an integrated query, reporting and analysis solution for business
professionals that allow them to access the data in their corporate databases directly from their
desktop and present and analyze this information in a BUSINESS OBJECTS document.
It is an OLAP tool that high-level management can use as a part of a Decision Support
Systems (DSS).
BUSINESS OBJECTS makes it easy to access the data, because you work with it in business
terms that are familiar to you, not technical database terms like SQL.

2) What is Business intelligence?
Business Intelligence is a technology used for preparing the reports for multidimensional
analyses.

3) What is Business Intelligence 80 / 20 concept?
In a business Intelligence environment 80% of development time is allocated to OLAP
interface designing, 20% of time allocated to Report development.

4) What are the various Business Objects products?
User Module, Designer, Supervisor, Auditor, Set Analyzer, Info View (Web Intelligence), Business
Objects Software Development Kit (SDK), Broadcast Agent etc.

5) What are the roles of BO Administrator?
The following are the responsibility assigned to administrator.
1. Installations and configurations in a distributed environment.
2. Creating the BO Enterprise Repository.
3. Performing back up and recovery of Metadata
4. Tuning the servers.
5. Deployment of reports.

6) What are the roles of BO designer or Architect?
An Architect is responsible for designing the OLAP interface by fulfilling the requirements.
Once the Interface has designed it should be regressively tested before giving to the end user
population.

7) What is OLAP interface?
A good OLAP interface writes an efficient SQL and reads an aqua rate data from database. To design
the interface and architect having good knowledge on database under standing the report
requirements.

8) What is an Application Developer or Report developer?
Design the Reports according to the report requirement templates.
Testing the each report with following types of tests
a. Unit Testing
b. System Testing
c. Performance Testing
d. User Acceptance Test (UAT)

9) What are the products installed along with BOXI R2 software
When install the XI R2 following products get installed :
a. Business View Manager
b. Business Objects enterprise
c. .Net administration launch pad
d. Business objects Enterprise
.Net Info view
e. Designer desktop intelligence
f. Central management console
g. Universe builder

10) What is Designer?
Designer is a Business Objects IS module used by universe designers to create and maintain
universes. Universes are the semantic layer that isolates end users from the technical issues of the
database structure.
Universe designers can distribute universes to end-users by moving them as files through
the file system, or by exporting them to the repository.

11) What is a universe?
Universe provides a semantic layer between you and the database. It consists of classes and objects
named in business terms. It is basically a mapping of table and the columns in the database to
classes and objects respectively in the query panel.
Alternatively, It is logical mapping of data in business terms.
In the Business Objects User module, universes enable end users to build queries from
which they can generate and perform analysis. Universes isolate end users from the complexities of
the database structure as well as the intricacies of SQL syntax.

12) How to create a universe?
Universe will be created using designer. That universe is known as classic universe.
Using this classic universe we can create web intelligence reports, desktop intelligence
reports, crystal repots.

13) Process of Universe creation?

Universe Parameters

Import Tables

Import Joins

Loop

Create Classes

Create Objects

Define hierarchies

14) How do you define universe parameters?

A universe parameter defines the name of the universe and connection to the target
database.

The first step in creating a universe is to specify its parameters. These parameters include
the definition of a universe, which is comprised of: the universe name, a description of the universe,
a connection to an RDBMS. You enter universe parameters from the Universe Parameters dialog
box. This dialog box also lets you set up database options, external strategies, graphic options, and
print settings.

15) How do you test the integrity of a universe?
With the Check Integrity command, you can test the structure of your active universe. This
means testing to determine whether its components are accurate and up-to-date.
Check Integrity serves the following purposes:
It detects any inconsistencies in the objects, joins, conditions, and cardinalities of your
universe.
It detects whether there are any loops in the joins.
It determines whether changes were made to the database to which the universe is connected.

16) How can you check the universe?

Using check Integrity, u can check the universe. Go to Designer, Tools -> check Integrity

17) What are Linked Universes?
If the data provided is from two different data providers then we can link those two
universes, such type of universe is called Linked Universe.

18) What is multidimensional analyses?
A multi dimensional analyses is a technique to modify the data so that the data can be view
from different prospective and at the different levels of details.

19) What are the futures of multidimensional analyses?
The following are the features of multidimensional analyses:
Drill Down (For more details)
Drill Up (For summery details)
Drill Across (Like from year to different cities)

20) What are the formats supported for Business Objects documents?
You can view Business Objects documents in the following formats:
1. HTML
2. PDF
3. Enhanced Document Format
4. Business Objects Format

21) What are the advantages of Business Objects over other DSS?

User Friendly.
Familiar Business Terms.
Graphical Interface
Drag and Drop.
Powerful reports in less time.
Enterprise wide Deployment of documents using Web.

Customized dashboards using Application foundation and Business Objects SDK.

22) How many modes are there in Business Objects & Designer?
There are 2 types: Enterprise Mode, Workgroup Mode.

23) What are Enterprise and Workgroup modes?
Designer lets you save universes in either enterprise or workgroup mode.
Enterprise mode means that you are working in an environment with a repository. Workgroup
mode means that you are working without a repository.
The mode in which you save your universe determines whether other designers are able to access
them.
By default, a universe is saved in the mode in which you are already working. For example, if you
launched a session in enterprise mode, any universe you save is automatically in that mode.

24) How do you save a Business Objects document, which can be accessed by all users in
workgroup mode?

If we want to make a universe accessible to another designer working without a repository,
then click the Save as Workgroup check box in the Save as universe dialog box.

25) What are the types of connections or types of universe?
Designer provides three types of connections: secured, shared, and personal.

1. Personal:- Universe can be accessed by a single user or A single user can query the data from
database
2. Sharing :- multiple user can send queries to database.
3. Secure :- This is the default connection type. A universe can be accessed by multiple users and can
send multiple queries to the database.

26) What is Joins?
A Join is a relationship that explains how the data in one table relates to data in another table.

27) What are the types of Joins?
The following are the types of Joins :
1. Inner Joins
2. Left outer Joins
3. Right outer Joins
4. Full outer Joins
5. Theta Join
6. Short cut Join

28) What is theta join?
A join is a relational operation that causes two or more tables with a common domain to be
combined into a single table. The purpose of joins is to restrict the result set of a query run against
multiple tables.
A Theta join links tables based on a relationship other than equality between two columns.

29) What is a macro?
A macro is a series of commands and functions that are stored in a Visual Basic for Applications
module and can be run whenever you need to perform the task. If you perform a task repeatedly,
you can automate the task with a macro. You create macros using the Visual Basic Editor.

30) What are loops?
Loop is a situation that occurs when more than one path exists from one table to another.
Loops result in ambiguity in the design of a universe

31) How do you detect loops?
Designer enables you to identify loops in one of two ways: You can run the Check Integrity
function, which indicates the existence of any loops. You can select the Detect Loops command from
the Tools menu. If there are loops, the Loop Detection viewer appears; it indicates the joins causing
a loop.

32) What are aliases?
An alias is a logical pointer to an alternate table name. The purpose of an alias is to resolve
loops in the paths of joins. In some cases, more than one alias may be necessary for a given table. As
you create aliases, Designer may prompt you to create other aliases. This occurs when the new
aliases result in the need for additional aliases; in other words, creating such aliases entails the
propagation of other aliases. In such a situation, two options are available to you:
You can cause only the first table proposed to be aliased
You can alias all the tables listed (i.e. propagate the aliases)
Designer displays an alias in the Structure pane as a table. It links an aliased table to existing
tables, re-arranging joins, as necessary.

33) How do you resolve the loop?
You can resolve loops in two ways:
Using aliases
Using contexts

DESIGNER provides three features, which guide you in the loop resolution process:
Detect Cardinalities
Detect Aliases
Detect Contexts
The first step in resolving loops is to detect the cardinalities of the tables.


34) Can Contexts and Aliases Be Used Together?
Yes, you can use contexts and aliases in the same universe. In fact, in many cases you should use
them together.

35) Where are the types are relationship between tables?
3 types relationship :
1. One to Many
2. One to One
3. Many to Many

36) What is an add-in?
Add-ins are programs that add optional commands and features to BUSINESS OBJECTS. Add-ins are
usually created by those responsible in your company for adding customized features to
BUSINESSOBJECTS. All you probably need to do is install and uninstall add-ins that are sent to you.

37) What functions are supported?
Designer provides four types of functions: Number, Character, Date and @Functions.
Functions beginning with the @ character are BusinessObject functions that render the definition of
objects dynamic and database-independent.

38) Define types of functions and there purposes:

@Function
Purpose
@Aggregate_Aware is used to enhance the performance of SQL transactions; i.e.
it determines which tables to use in SQL generation: either
aggregate tables or detailed tables.
@Prompt is used to create an interactive object. In the Query Panel,
this type of object causes a message to appear that prompts
the end user to enter a specific value.
@Script is used to recover the results of an executed macro created
with the Visual Basic Editor in the BusinessObjects User
module
@Select lets you re-use the Select statement of an existing object
@Variable is used to reference the value assigned to a name or
variable.
@Where lets you re-use the Where clause of an existing object.

39) What is meant by object qualification?
The qualification of an object reveals how it can be used in multidimensional analysis. An
object can be qualified as a dimension, a detail, or a measure. In the Universe pane, the symbol
beside each object indicates its qualification.

40) How do you define universe parameters?
The first step in creating a universe is to specify its parameters. These parameters include
the definition of a universe, which is comprised of: the universe name, a description of the universe,
a connection to an RDBMS. You enter universe parameters from the Universe Parameters dialog
box. This dialog box also lets you set up database options, external strategies, graphic options, and
print settings.

41) What are cardinalities?
Cardinality expresses the minimum and maximum number of instances of an entity B that
can be associated with an instance of an entity A. The minimum and the maximum number of
instances can be equal to 0, 1, or N.

Because a join represents a bi-directional relationship, it must always have two
cardinalities.

There are two main methods for detecting or editing cardinalities:
the Detect Cardinalities command
the Edit Join dialog box

If you selected the Detect cardinalities in joins options in the Database tab of the Options
dialog box, Designer detects and retrieves the cardinalities of the joins. If you do not use this option,
you can still retrieve the cardinalities for one or all joins in the universe.

42) What is a database connection?
A connection is a set of parameters that provides access to an RDBMS. These parameters
include system information such as the data account, user identification, and the path to the
database. Designer provides three types of connections: secured, shared, and personal.

43) What are the types of connections we use when connecting to the database?
There are three types of connections namely: - Secured, Shared and Personal.

A secured connection is used to centralize and control access to sensitive or critical data. It
is the safest type of connection for protecting access to data.
A shared connection is used to access common resources such as universes or documents.
Several users can thus use it.
A personal connection is specific to one user and can be used only from the computer on which
it was created.

44) What are the components of the Designer interface?
In Designer, you create a universe using three areas: the Universe pane, the Structure pane, the
Table Browser. The Universe pane displays the components of the universe from the point of view
of Business Objects; that is the classes, objects, and conditions. The Structure pane reflects the
underlying database structure of the universe including the tables, columns, and joins. The Table
Browser is the component that lets you create the classes and objects of the universe from the
tables and columns of a database.

45) How do you design a universe?
The design method consists of two major phases.
During the first phase, you create the underlying database structure of your universe. This
structure includes the tables and columns of a database and the joins by which they are linked. You
may need to resolve loops which occur in the joins using aliases or contexts. You can conclude this
phase by testing the integrity of the overall structure.
During the second phase, you can proceed to enhance the components of your universe. You can
also prepare certain objects for multidimensional analysis. As with the first phase, you should test
the integrity of your universe structure. Finally, you can distribute your universes to users by
exporting them to the repository or via your file system.

46) Which are the different types of data providers?
Queries on Universes
Stored Procedures
Free-hand SQL
Personal Data files
VBA Procedures
OLAP Servers
SAP

47) What are classes/objects?
An object maps to data or a derivation of data in the database. For the purposes of
multidimensional analysis, an object can be qualified as one of three types: a dimension, detail, or
measure.

A class is a collection of objects based on business categories.

A universe is a set of classes and objects intended for a specific application or group of
users.

48) What are classes?
A class is a logical grouping of objects within a universe. In general, the name of a class
reflects a business concept that conveys the category or type of objects.
A class can be further divided into subclasses. In the human resources universe, a subclass
of the Employees class could be Personal Information.
As designer, you are free to define hierarchies of classes and subclasses in a model that best
reflects the business concepts of your organization.

49) What are objects?
An object is the most refined component in a universe. It maps to data or a derivation of
data in the database.
Using objects, end users can build queries to generate reports. The name of an object
suggests a concept drawn from the terminology of a business or discipline.
For the purposes of multidimensional analysis, objects are qualified as one of three types:
dimension, detail, or measure.
We cant create object without class.

50) What are the types of Objects?
The following types of objects can be created in the universe.
1. Dimension
2. Measure
3. Detail

51) What is Dimension Object?
Dimensions are basic parameters used in analyzing the business measures.
A Dimension object is represented as CUBE.

52) What is Detailed Object?
It provides a detailed description to the dimension object.

53) What is Measure Objects?
A Measure object returning numeric information.
A measure object is created with following aggregate functions Sum(), Avg(), Max(), Min(),
Count().
The default aggregate function using creating measure object is Sum().

54) What is a hierarchy?
A hierarchy is an ordered series of related dimensions grouped together to perform
multidimensional hierarchy.
The relationship between object in the hierarchy is one to many.

55) What are the types of hierarchy?
There are two types of hierarchies.
1. Default hierarchy :- It contains the dimension objects in the order in which they are presented in
the class.
2. Custom hierarchy :- A custom hierarchy is created from default hierarchy


56) How to create hierarchies in BO?
A hierarchy, which the designer sets up when creating the universe, consists of dimension objects
ranked from less detailed to more detailed.
The objects that belong to hierarchies are the ones you can use to define scope of analysis.

57) What is List of Values (LOV)?
A list of values contains the data values associated with an object. These data values can
originate from a corporate database, or a flat file such as a text file or Excel file.
In Designer you create a list of values by running a query from the Query Panel. You can then
view, edit, purge, refresh, and even export this file. A list of values is stored as an .lov file in a
subfolder of the UserDocs folder.

58) What is Restriction?
A restriction is a condition which reduces the number of records displayed in the record.

59) What is a Filter?
A filter enables you to hide the data you do not want to view behind the scenes and display
only the data you need.

60) What are the types of Filters?
In the crystal reports the data can be filtered in two different ways
1. Select Expert : It allows you to define the simple conditions.
2. Selection Formula : The data can be filtered by defining the expressions in formula editor.

61) What are the types of Query Filter that you use in Web intelligence?
There are four types of Query Filter you use in Web intelligence:
1. Predefined Filters
2. Single and Multi value Filters
3. Prompted Filters
4. Complex Filters

62) What is conditional Formatting?
The data in the report can be formatted based on given condition this allows you to quickly
identify the data for faster analyses.

63) What is alert message?
An alert is a message which is displayed before viewing the data records.

64) What are the types of Filters which affects the report?
There are two types of filter.
A global filter affects the whole report.
A blockspecific filter only filters data for the specified chart, table or crosstab.

65) What is a Prompt?
A Prompt is an end users object, which allows the users to enter the value or select the values
to restrict the data in the report.

66) What are the parameters a prompt function takes?
This function takes 5 parameters as arguments, each parameter is separated with comma ( , ).

1. Prompt Text:- It is a text message displayed on the top of a list box or text box.
This parameter is enclosed in single cote.

Ex:- Select the State

2. Data Type:- It specifies the data type of an object on which prompt is created.
This parameter is enclosed in single cote.

A Alpha
N Numeric
D Date

3. List Of Values:- This parameter can be represented in two different ways.
a. Hard Code List {New York, Taxes}
b. A Pointer of LOV of an object
Syntax :- Class / Object
Ex :- Store / State

4. MONO or MULTI :-
a. MONO :- IT lets the user to select the single value from the list.
b. Multi :- It lets the user to select the multiple values from the list.

5. Free or Constrained :-
a. Free:- It lets the user either to enter the value or select the value from the list.
b. Constrains:- It lets the user to select only the value from the list.

67) Where will you find the address of repository in BO?
BO Main.key, File that contains the address of the repositorys security domain.

68) Explain the Repository of the Business Objects?
A Business Objects repository is a set of data structures stored on a database. A repository makes it
possible to share the resources necessary for client/server architecture. To ensure security and
manage user resources, a repository comprises three types of domains:

1. Universe Domain Consists of 24 database tables used to store universes.
It stores the universe which you create.

2. Document Domain consists of database table used to store files including Business Objects
documents (.rep), List of Value files (.lov),etc.
It stores the documents which can be accessed by multiple users.

3. Security Domain consists of 25 database tables used to store Business Objects users and their
permissions.
It stores the information about users, user groups and profiles assigned to the users.

69) Can we have multiple domains?
Yes. (Security domain can not be multiple).

70) What is a template?
A template is a special kind of BUSINESSOBJECTS document that contains pre-defined styles
and structure that you use as a foundation to create reports. BUSINESSOBJECTS comes with several
templates for you to use and you can also create your own.

71) How do you create a universe, step-by-step approach.
Designing, Creating and maintaining a universe
The phased in this include:
Planning
Break down the information system into functional areas
Analysis
Analyze the information needs of users
Design
Design a conceptual schema
Design the specification of a universe
Implementation
Create a universe with DESIGNER
Test the universe with BUSINESSOBJECTS/WEBINTELLIGENCE
Distribute the universe
Repeat the above steps for other universes
Maintenance
Update and maintain the universe
Notify end users of changes

72) How many modes are there in BO & Designer?
There are 2 types: Enterprise Mode, Workgroup Mode.

73) What are Enterprise and Workgroup modes?
Designer lets you save universes in either enterprise or workgroup mode. Enterprise mode
means that you are working in an environment with a repository.
Workgroup mode means that you are working without a repository. The mode in which you
save your universe determines whether other designers are able to access them.
By default, a universe is saved in the mode in which you are already working. For example,
if you launched a session in enterprise mode, any universe you save is automatically in that mode.

74) How do you restrict access to rows of a database?
In XI version it can be done by using row-level security in designer module whereas in 5i/6i
it is done by supervisor.

75) What do you mean by Object qualification?
Object qualification represents what kind of object is that, usually we have three types of
object qualifiers they are measure, dimension, detailed.

76) How do you save a Business Objects document, which can be accessed by all users in
workgroup mode?
If we want to make a universe accessible to another designer working without a repository, then
click the Save as Workgroup check box in the Save as universe dialog box.