Core Concepts

This page gives an overview of the core database concepts via a clickable map. Use the links below to find detailed descriptions.

Dimensions

Dimensions represent master data, such as customers, articles, or regions. See dimensions for details.

Items

Dimension items are the concrete values within a dimension, such as individual customer or article numbers. Each item has a unique name and can have multiple captions and attributes. See items for details.

Distributions

Distributions are used to weight dimension items, such as for planning or seasonality. They allow values to be distributed across items using factors. See distributions for details.

Trees

Trees define hierarchies for dimension items, allowing data to be grouped and summarized. Multiple trees can be created per dimension for different analyses. See trees for details.

Subtrees

Subtrees are flat extracts of a tree, showing only selected items or sums without a hierarchy. They are useful for focused analysis. See subtrees for details.

Tables

Tables (also called cubes) store data as combinations of dimension items and values. See tables for details.

Records

Records are the rows in a table, defined by a unique combination of dimension items. Each record holds the values for that combination. See records for details.

Links

Links connect tables, allowing data to be updated or referenced between them. They enable dependencies and fast updates without merging data at query time. See links for details.

Derivations

Derivations are a special type of link where a table is linked to another table containing sums for certain dimensions. Changes in the source table are mirrored in the destination table. See derivations for details.

Subtables

Subtables are filtered views of a table, containing only specific records based on defined criteria. They simplify queries by predefining filters. See subtables for details.

Table Calculations

Table calculations are predefined visual scripts that can be used when querying data. They automate calculations and can be combined with custom scripts. See table calculations for details.

Visual Scripts

Visual scripts are graphical calculation trees that automate calculations in tables. They can be created without programming knowledge. See visual scripts for details.

Calculations

Calculations automate the editing or creation of records in one or more tables. They consist of sequential steps, each of which can use a visual script. See calculations for details.

Steps

Steps are the individual actions within a calculation, executed in order. Each step is linked to a table and can use filters and visual scripts. See steps for details.

Files

The server can also store files, such as reports created in the Studio application. Folder structures can be created, and access rights can be set per user or role. See files for details.

Scripts

Scripts can automate tasks that are not possible with visual scripts. Scripts are written in Basic or Pascal. They can run API commands, for example, to create plan values or to process files. See scripts for details.

Commands

Commands are reusable sets of API commands. They can be run in sequence or alone. See commands.

Command Groups

Command groups are collections of commands that can be executed together. They help organize and reuse sets of API commands. See command groups for details.

Variables

Variables store text values and parameters. They can be used in commands and scripts. See variables.

Permissions

Permissions control access to database objects, such as dimensions, tables, and files. Users and roles are managed per database. Read and write permissions can be set for each user or role. Permissions can also be set for individual dimension items or hierarchies. Roles help simplify rights assignment. See permissions for details.

Users

Users are individuals who can access the database. Each user can be assigned roles and permissions. See users for details.

Roles

Roles are collections of permissions that can be assigned to users to simplify rights management. See roles for details.