1) What is alias table means? When we should use it & how to create it?
Alias Table: Is a copy (alias) from a database object.When to use it: we normally create an alias if we have one dimension shared among more than one fact table. to avoid loops we create as many aliases from the shared dimension table and use aliases to connect to fact tables.
How to create it? Right click on the required table and select alias from the menu. You need to give a unique name to alias table.
2) What is Derived table? When shall we use it? How to create it?
Derived table: is like database view. you can create it inside universe designer if you don’t have database privilege to create database view. You need SQL select query to define the view and name to be assigned to derived table.When to use it: We use derived table in the following cases
- You have complex query with advanced SQL coding.
- if you have one master lookup table and you want to create small customized version for each lookup included in this lookup table.
for more detail information check this link [Derived table in SAP BO]
3) What is Scope of Analysis?
Scope of Analysis is one of the most powerful features in business objects. Now you can easily build your custom hierarchies and use them in your report to navigate through data. To make it easy I will consider a small example then go step by step starting from building the universe and end with how to use the drill feature to navigate through data.For more detailed information check this link [What is Scope of Analysis?]4) What is Micro Cube in SAP Business Objects
When you create data query in SAP business Objects the data retrieved and stored in a Micro cube, known also as Webi micro cube. This Micro Cube is stored along with the report and the report size will vary based on the saved micro cube size. BO reporting engine will use this microcube to display data on the report based on the selected objects and based on the aggregation function associated with each measure. to reduce the micro cube size you need to assign database aggregation function on each measure. This will submit a grouped by query to the data base and it will reduce the micro cube size and it will enhance the overall report performance. For more information check the following link [Micro Cube in SAP BO]5) What is aggregate aware function? when to use it?
This function used to increase the performance by directing the report query to select objects form the aggregated table instead of the detailed table.It may be also used to make some objects incompatible with some others. The best example for such case is the stand alone table that you add in your universe for a specific report. For sure you don’t want the user select other incompatible objects from other incompatible tables. for more detailed information check this link [@Aggregate_Aware()]
You can find a complete step by step guide on how to create a Universe from scratch using SAP BO information Design Tool in "Creating Universes with SAP BusinessObjects" book:
