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fact table
The central table in a star join schema,
characterized by a foreign key and elements drawn from a
dimension table. This table typically contains numeric data
that can be related to all other tables in the schema.
failover
The ability to switch automatically to a redundant
standby database, server, or network if the primary
database, server, or network fails or is shut down. A system
that is clustered for failover provides high availability and
fault tolerance through server redundancy and fault-
tolerant hardware, such as shared disks.
Favorites gadget
A gadget that contains links to Reporting
and Analysis documents and URLs. See also gadget.
file delimiter
A character, such as a comma or tab, that
separates fields in a data source.
filter
A constraint on data sets that restricts values to specific
criteria; for example, to exclude certain tables, metadata, or
values, or to control access.
flow account
An unsigned account that stores periodic and
year-to-date values.
footer
Text or images at the bottom of report pages,
containing dynamic functions or static text such as page
numbers, dates, logos, titles or file names, and author
names.
format string
1) In Essbase, a method for transforming the
way cell values are displayed; 2) In Data Relationship
Management, a parameter of a Format or Formatted Date
derived property that indicates the format in which a
property value should be returned.
formula
In Data Relationship Management, business logic
used by a derived property to dynamically calculate a
property value.
frame
An area on the desktop. Two main areas: the
navigation and workspace frames.
free-form grid
An object for presenting, entering, and
integrating data from different sources for dynamic
calculations.
free-form reporting
Creating reports by entering dimension
members or report script commands in worksheets.
function
In Data Relationship Management, a syntactic
element of a derived property formula that accepts
parameters and returns dynamic values.
gadget
A simple, specialized, lightweight application that
provides easy viewing of EPM content and enables access to
core Reporting and Analysis functionality.
geneology data
Additional data that is optionally generated
after allocation calculations. This data enables reporting on
all cost or revenue flows from start to finish through all
allocation steps.
generation
A layer in a hierarchical tree structure that defines
member relationships in a database. Generations are
ordered incrementally from the top member of the
dimension (generation 1) down to the child members. Use
the unique generation name to identify a layer in the
hierarchical tree structure.
generic jobs
Non-SQR Production Reporting or non-
Interactive Reporting jobs.
global report command
A command in a running report script
that is effective until it is replaced by another global
command or the file ends.
grid POV
A means for specifying dimension members on a
grid without placing dimensions in rows, columns, or page
intersections. A report designer can set POV values at the
grid level, preventing user POVs from affecting the grid. If
a dimension has one grid value, you put the dimension into
the grid POV instead of the row, column, or page.
group
A container for assigning similar access permissions
to multiple users.
GUI
Graphical user interface
hardware cluster
a collection of computers that provides a
single view of network services (for example, an IP address)
or application services (such as databases and web servers)
to clients of these services. Each node in a hardware cluster
is a standalone server that runs its own processes. These
processes can communicate with one another to form what
looks like a single system that cooperatively provides
applications, system resources, and data to users.
high availability
A system attribute that enables an
application to continue to provide services in the presence
of failures. This is achieved through removal of single points
of failure, with fault-tolerant hardware, as well as server
clusters; if one server fails, processing requests are routed to
another server.
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Glossary
109
Historical Average
An average for an account over a number
of historical periods.
holding company
An entity that is part of a legal entity group,
with direct or indirect investments in all entities in the
group.
horizontal application server cluster
A cluster with application
server instances on different machines.
host
A server on which applications and services are
installed.
host properties
Properties pertaining to a host, or if the host
has multiple Oracle EPM homes, to an Oracle EPM home.
Hybrid Analysis
An analysis mapping low-level data stored in
a relational database to summary-level data stored in
Essbase, combining the mass scalability of relational systems
with multidimensional data.
hyperlink
A link to a file, a web page, or an intranet HTML
page.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
A programming language
specifying how web browsers display data.
identity
A unique identification for a user or group in
external authentication.
image bookmarks
Graphic links to web pages or repository
items.
IMPACTED status
A status that indicates changes in child
entities consolidating into parent entities.
implied share
A member with one or more children but only
one that is consolidated, so the parent and child share a
value.
import format
In FDM, the definition of the structure of the
source file that enables the loading of a source data file to
an FDM data-load location.
inactive group
A group for which an administrator has
deactivated system access.
INACTIVE status
A status that indicates entities deactivated
from consolidation for the current period.
inactive user
A user whose account was deactivated by an
administrator.
income account
An account storing periodic and year-to-
date values that, if positive, increase net worth.
index
1) A method where Essbase uses sparse-data
combinations to retrieve data in block storage databases. 2)
The index file.
index cache
A buffer containing index pages.
index entry
A pointer to an intersection of sparse dimensions.
Index entries point to data blocks on disk and use offsets to
locate cells.
index file
An Essbase file storing block storage data retrieval
information, residing on disk, and containing index pages.
index page
A subdivision in an index file. An index page
contains pointers to data blocks.
input data
Data loaded from a source rather than calculated.
installation assemblies
Product installation files that plug in
to EPM System Installer.
integration
A process that is run to move data between
Oracle's Hyperion applications using Shared Services. Data
integration definitions specify the data moving between a
source application and a destination application, and they
enable the data movements to be grouped, ordered, and
scheduled.
intelligent calculation
A calculation method tracking updated
data blocks since the last calculation.
Interactive Reporting connection file (.oce)
Files encapsulating
database connection information, including the database
API (ODBC, SQL*Net, and so on), database software, the
database server network address, and database user name.
Administrators create and publish Interactive Reporting
connection (.oce) files.
intercompany elimination
See elimination.
intercompany matching
The process of comparing balances
for pairs of intercompany accounts within an application.
Intercompany receivables are compared to intercompany
payables for matches. Matching accounts are used to
eliminate intercompany transactions from an
organization's consolidated totals.
intercompany matching report
A report that compares
intercompany account balances and indicates whether the
accounts are in balance.
Glossary
115
106
interdimensional irrelevance
A situation in which a dimension
does not intersect with other dimensions. Because the data
in the dimension cannot be accessed from the
nonintersecting dimensions, the nonintersecting
dimensions are not relevant to that dimension.
intersection
A unit of data representing the intersection of
dimensions in a multidimensional database; also, a
worksheet cell.
intrastage assignment
An assignment in the financial flow to
an object within the same stage.
introspection
A deep inspection of a data source to discover
hierarchies based on the inherent relationships in the
database. Contrast with scraping.
Investigation
See drill-through.
isolation level
An Essbase Kernel setting that determines the
lock and commit behavior of database operations. Choices
are: committed access and uncommitted access.
iteration
A pass of the budget or planning cycle in which the
same version of data is revised and promoted.
Java application server cluster
An active-active application
server cluster of Java Virtual Machines (JVMs).
Java Database Connectivity (JDBC)
A client-server
communication protocol used by Java-based clients and
relational databases. The JDBC interface provides a call-
level API for SQL-based database access.
job output
Files or reports produced from running a job.
jobs
Documents with special properties that can be
launched to generate output. A job can contain Interactive
Reporting, SQR Production Reporting, or generic
documents.
join
A link between two relational database tables or topics
based on common content in a column or row. A join
typically occurs between identical or similar items within
different tables or topics. For example, a record in the
Customer table is joined to a record in the Orders table
because the Customer ID value is the same in each table.
journal entry (JE)
A set of debit-credit adjustments to account
balances for a scenario and period.
JSP
Java Server Page.
KeyContacts gadget
A gadget that contains a group of Smart
Space users and provides access to Smart Space
Collaborator. For example, you can have a KeyContacts
gadget for your marketing team and another for your
development team. See also gadget.
latest
A spreadsheet keyword used to extract data values
from the member defined as the latest time period.
layer
1) The horizontal location of members in a
hierarchical structure, specified by generation (top down)
or level (bottom up); 2) Position of objects relative to other
objects. For example, in the Sample Basic database, Qtr1 and
Qtr4 are in the same layer, so they are also in the same
generation, but in a database with a ragged hierarchy, Qtr1
and Qtr4 might not be in same layer, though they are in the
same generation.
layout area
An area on a Workspace Page where content can
be placed.
legend box
A box containing labels that identify the data
categories of a dimension.
level
A layer in a hierarchical tree structure that defines
database member relationships. Levels are ordered from the
bottom dimension member (level 0) up to the parent
members.
level 0 block
A data block for combinations of sparse, level 0
members.
level 0 member
A member that has no children.
liability account
An account type that stores "point in time"
balances of a company's liabilities. Examples: accrued
expenses, accounts payable, and long-term debt.
lifecycle management
The process of migrating an
application, a repository, or individual artifacts across
product environments.
line item detail
The lowest level of detail in an account.
lineage
The relationship between different metadata
elements showing how one metadata element is derived
from one or more other metadata elements, ultimately
tracing the metadata element to its physical source. In
Essbase Studio, a lineage viewer displays the relationships
graphically. See also traceability.
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Glossary
108
link
1) A reference to a repository object. Links can reference
folders, files, shortcuts, and other links; 2) In a taskflow, the
point where the activity in one stage ends and another
begins.
link condition
A logical expression evaluated by the taskflow
engine to determine the sequence of launching taskflow
stages.
linked data model
Documents that are linked to a master copy
in a repository
linked partition
A shared partition that enables you to use a
data cell to link two databases. When a user clicks a linked
cell in a worksheet, Essbase opens a new sheet displaying the
dimensions in the linked database. The user can then drill
down those dimensions.
linked reporting object (LRO)
A cell-based link to an external
file such as cell notes, URLs, or files with text, audio, video,
or pictures. (Only cell notes are supported for Essbase LROs
in Financial Reporting.) Contrast with local report object.
load balancer
Hardware or software that directs the requests
to individual application servers in a cluster and is the only
point of entry into the system.
load balancing
Distribution of requests across a group of
servers, which helps to ensure optimal end user
performance.
local currency
An input currency type. When an input
currency type is not specified, the local currency matches
the entity's base currency.
local report object
A report object that is not linked to a
Financial Reporting report object in Explorer. Contrast with
linked reporting object.
local results
A data model's query results. Results can be used
in local joins by dragging them into the data model. Local
results are displayed in the catalog when requested.
locale
A computer setting that specifies a location's
language, currency and date formatting, data sort order, and
the character set encoding used on the computer. Essbase
uses only the encoding portion. See also encoding,
ESSLANG.
locale header record
A text record at the beginning of some
non-Unicode-encoded text files, such as scripts, that
identifies the encoding locale.
location alias
A descriptor that identifies a data source. The
location alias specifies a server, application, database, user
name, and password. Location aliases are set by DBAs at the
database level using Administration Services Console,
ESSCMD, or the API.
locked
A user-invoked process that prevents users and
processes from modifying data.
locked data model
A data model that cannot be modified by
a user.
LOCKED status
A consolidation status indicating that an
entity contains data that cannot be modified.
Log Analyzer
An Administration Services feature that enables
filtering, searching, and analysis of Essbase logs.
logic group
In FDM, one or more logic accounts generated
after a source file is loaded into FDM. Logic accounts are
calculated accounts derived from the source data.
logical web application
An aliased reference used to identify
the internal host name, port, and context of a web
application. In a clustered or high-availability environment,
this is the alias name that establishes a single internal
reference for the distributed components. In EPM System,
a nonclustered logical web application defaults to the
physical host running the web application.
LRO
See linked reporting object.
managed server
An application server process running in its
own Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
manual stage
A stage that requires human intervention.
Map File
A file that stores the definition for sending data to
or retrieving data from an external database. Map files have
different extensions (.mps to send data; .mpr to retrieve
data).
Map Navigator
A feature that displays your current position
on a Strategy, Accountability, or Cause and Effect map,
indicated by a red outline.
Marginal Tax Rate
The rate used to calculate the after-tax cost
of debt; represents the tax rate applied to the last earned
income dollar (the rate from the highest tax bracket into
which income falls) and includes federal, state, and local
taxes. Based on current level of taxable income and tax
bracket, you can predict marginal tax rate.
Glossary
117
103
Market Risk Premium
The additional rate of return paid over
the risk-free rate to persuade investors to hold "riskier"
investments than government securities. Calculated by
subtracting the risk-free rate from the expected market
return. These figures should closely model future market
conditions.
master data model
An independent data model that is
referenced as a source by multiple queries. When used,
"Locked Data Model" is displayed in the Query section's
Content pane; the data model is linked to the master data
model displayed in the Data Model section, which an
administrator may hide.
mathematical operator
A symbol that defines how data is
calculated in formulas and outlines. Can be any of the
standard mathematical or Boolean operators; for example,
+, -, *, /, and %.
MaxL
The multidimensional database access language for
Essbase, consisting of a data definition language (MaxL
DDL) and a data manipulation language (MaxL DML). See
also MaxL DDL, MaxL DML, and MaxL Shell
MaxL DDL
The data definition language used by Essbase for
batch or interactive system-administration tasks.
MaxL DML
The data manipulation language used in Essbase
for data query and extraction.
MaxL Perl Module
A Perl module (essbase.pm) that is part of
Essbase MaxL DDL. This module can be added to the Perl
package to provide access to Essbase databases from Perl
programs.
MaxL Script Editor
A script-development environment in
Administration Services Console. MaxL Script Editor is an
alternative to using a text editor and the MaxL Shell for
administering Essbase with MaxL scripts.
MaxL Shell
An interface for passing MaxL statements to
Essbase Server. The MaxL Shell executable file is located in
the Essbase bin directory (UNIX: essmsh; Windows:
essmsh.exe).
MDX (multidimensional expression)
A language used for
querying and calculation in multidimensional-compliant
databases.
measures
Numeric values in an OLAP database cube that are
available for analysis. Measures are margin, cost of goods
sold, unit sales, budget amount, and so on. See also fact
table.
member
A discrete component within a dimension. A
member identifies and differentiates the organization of
similar units. For example, a time dimension might include
members Jan, Feb, and Qtr1.
member list
A named system- or user-defined group that
references members, functions, or member lists within a
dimension.
member load
In Essbase Integration Services, the process of
adding dimensions and members (without data) to Essbase
outlines.
member selection report command
A type of Report Writer
command that selects member ranges based on outline
relationships, such as sibling, generation, and level.
member-specific report command
A type of Report Writer
formatting command that is executed as it is encountered
in a report script. The command affects only its associated
member and executes the format command before
processing the member.
merge
A data load option that clears values only from the
accounts specified in the data load file and replaces them
with values in the data load file.
metadata
A set of data that defines and describes the
properties and attributes of the data stored in a database or
used by an application. Examples of metadata are
dimension names, member names, properties, time
periods, and security.
metadata elements
Metadata derived from data sources and
other metadata that is stored and cataloged for Essbase
Studio use.
metadata sampling
The process of retrieving a sample of
members in a dimension in a drill-down operation.
metadata security
Security set at the member level to restrict
users from accessing certain outline members.
metaoutline
In Essbase Integration Services, a template
containing the structure and rules for creating an Essbase
outline from an OLAP model.
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Middleware home
A directory that includes the Oracle
WebLogic Server home and can also include the EPM Oracle
home and other Oracle homes. A Middleware home can
reside on a local file system or on a remote shared disk that
is accessible through NFS.
migration audit report
A report generated from the migration
log that provides tracking information for an application
migration.
migration definition file (.mdf)
A file that contains migration
parameters for an application migration, enabling batch
script processing.
migration log
A log file that captures all application migration
actions and messages.
migration snapshot
A snapshot of an application migration
that is captured in the migration log.
MIME Type
An attribute that describes the data format of an
item, so that the system knows which application should
open the object. A file's MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail
Extension) type is determined by the file extension or HTTP
header. Plug-ins tell browsers which MIME types they
support and which file extensions correspond to each
MIME type.
mining attribute
In data mining, a class of values used as a
factor in analysis of a set of data.
minireport
A report component that includes layout,
content, hyperlinks, and the query or queries to load the
report. Each report can include one or more minireports.
minischema
A graphical representation of a subset of tables
from a data source that represents a data modeling context.
missing data (#MISSING)
A marker indicating that data in the
labeled location does not exist, contains no value, or was
never entered or loaded. For example, missing data exists
when an account contains data for a previous or future
period but not for the current period.
model
1) In data mining, a collection of an algorithm's
findings about examined data. A model can be applied
against a wider data set to generate useful information about
that data; 2) A file or content string containing an
application-specific representation of data. Models are the
basic data managed by Shared Services, of two major types:
dimensional and nondimensional application objects; 3) In
Business Modeling, a network of boxes connected to
represent and calculate the operational and financial flow
through the area being examined.
multidimensional database
A method of organizing, storing,
and referencing data through three or more dimensions. An
individual value is the intersection point for a set of
dimensions. Contrast with relational database.
Multiload
An FDM feature that allows the simultaneous
loading of multiple periods, categories, and locations.
My Workspace Page
Customizable Workspace Pages created
by users. They are marked specially so that they can be easily
accessed from one single place without having to navigate
the repository.
named set
In MaxL DML, a set with its logic defined in the
optional WITH section of a MaxL DML query. The named
set can be referenced multiple times in the query.
native authentication
The process of authenticating a user
name and password from within the server or application.
nested column headings
A report column heading format that
displays data from multiple dimensions. For example, a
column heading that contains Year and Scenario members
is a nested column. The nested column heading shows Q1
(from the Year dimension) in the top line of the heading,
qualified by Actual and Budget (from the Scenario
dimension) in the bottom line of the heading.
NO DATA status
A consolidation status indicating that this
entity contains no data for the specified period and account.
non-dimensional model
A Shared Services model type that
includes application objects such as security files, member
lists, calculation scripts, and web forms.
non-unique member name
See duplicate member name.
null value
A value that is absent of data. Null values are not
equal to zero.
Glossary
119
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numeric attribute range
A feature used to associate a base
dimension member that has a discrete numeric value with
an attribute that represents a value range. For example, to
classify customers by age, an Age Group attribute dimension
can contain members for the following age ranges: 0-20,
21-40, 41-60, and 61-80. Each Customer dimension
member can be associated with an Age Group range. Data
can be retrieved based on the age ranges rather than on
individual age values.
ODBC
Open Database Connectivity. A database access
method used from any application regardless of how the
database management system (DBMS) processes the
information.
OK status
A consolidation status indicating that an entity has
already been consolidated, and that data has not changed
below it in the organization structure.
OLAP Metadata Catalog
In Essbase Integration Services, a
relational database containing metadata describing the
nature, source, location, and type of data that is pulled from
the relational data source.
OLAP model
In Essbase Integration Services, a logical model
(star schema) that is created from tables and columns in a
relational database. The OLAP model is then used to
generate the structure of a multidimensional database. See
also online analytical processing (OLAP).
online analytical processing (OLAP)
A multidimensional,
multiuser, client-server computing environment for users
who analyze consolidated enterprise data in real time. OLAP
systems feature drill-down, data pivoting, complex
calculations, trend analysis, and modeling.
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)
Standardized application
programming interface (API) technology that allows
applications to access multiple third-party databases.
Oracle home
A directory containing the installed files
required by a specific product, and residing within the
directory structure of Middleware home. See also
Middleware home.
organization
An entity hierarchy that defines each entity and
their relationship to others in the hierarchy.
origin
The intersection of two axes.
outline
The database structure of a multidimensional
database, including all dimensions, members, tags, types,
consolidations, and mathematical relationships. Data is
stored in the database according to the structure defined in
the outline.
outline synchronization
For partitioned databases, the process
of propagating outline changes from one database to
another database.
page
A display of information in a grid or table often
represented by the Z-axis. A page can contain data from one
field, derived data from a calculation, or text.
page file
An Essbase data file.
page heading
A report heading type that lists members
represented on the current page of the report. All data values
on the page have the members in the page heading as a
common attribute.
page member
A member that determines the page axis.
palette
A JASC-compliant file with a .PAL extension. Each
palette contains 16 colors that complement each other and
can be used to set the dashboard color elements.
parallel calculation
A calculation option. Essbase divides a
calculation into tasks and calculates some tasks
simultaneously.
parallel data load
In Essbase, the concurrent execution of
data load stages by multiple process threads.
parallel export
The ability to export Essbase data to multiple
files. This may be faster than exporting to a single file, and
it may resolve problems caused by a single data file
becoming too large for the operating system to handle.
parent adjustments
The journal entries that are posted to a
child in relation to its parent.
parents
The entities that contain one or more dependent
entities that report directly to them. Because parents are
entities associated with at least one node, they have entity,
node, and parent information associated with them.
120
Glossary
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