Essbase Database Artifacts
Files related to Essbase databases (cubes) are called artifacts (or objects). Database artifacts perform actions against one or more databases, such as defining calculations. By default, artifacts are stored in their associated database folder, and can also be saved to a client computer or to other available network directories.
Common types of cube artifacts include:
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A database outline (a storage structure definition)
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Source data files
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Rules for loading data and building dimensions dynamically (rule files)
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Scripts that define how to calculate data (calculation scripts)
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Scripts that generate reports on data (MDX, report scripts, drill through reports)
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Linked reporting objects (LROs)
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Partition definitions
Purpose and Location of Database Outline
An Essbase outline defines the structure of the multidimensional database, including all the dimensions, members, aliases, properties, types, consolidations, and mathematical relationships. The structure defined in the outline determines how data is stored in the database.
When a database is created, an outline is created automatically. You can add and remove dimensions and members from it, and change the properties.
The outline has the same name as the database (dbname.otl). The location of the outline file depends on the type of database.
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Block storage—
<Oracle_Home>/applications/essbase/app/<appname>/<dbname>/cube -
Aggregate storage—
<Oracle_Home>/applications/essbase/app/<appname>/<dbname>
See Create an Application and Database and Work with Essbase Outlines.
Source Data for Essbase
Source data is external data that is loaded into, and/or accessed by, an Essbase database.
Common types of source data for Essbase include the following:
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Text files
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External databases, such as an SQL database
Rule Files for Data Load and Dimension Build
An Essbase database contains no data when it is created. Data load rule files define sets of operations that Essbase performs on data from an external source as the data is loaded, or copied, into the Essbase database.
Dimension build rule files create or modify the dimensions and members in an outline based on data in an external data source. Rule files are typically associated with a particular database, but you can define rules for use with multiple databases. One rule file can be used for both data loads and dimension builds. Rule files have a .rul extension.
See Load Rules and Design Rules for Data Load or Dimension Build.
About Calculation Scripts
Calculation scripts are text files that contain sets of instructions telling Essbase how to calculate data in a block storage (BSO) database. Calculation scripts perform calculations different from the consolidations and mathematical operations that are defined in the outline.
Because calculation scripts perform specific mathematical operations on members, they are typically associated with a particular database. You can, however, define a calculation script for use with multiple databases. Calculation scripts files have a .csc extension.