Working with Aggregation Scripts

Each aggregation script represents a specific aggregate view selection against a database.

Aggregation scripts can save you time. For example, after loading new data values you need not perform another aggregate view selection. You can speed the aggregation process by using the selection stored in an aggregation script to materialize the aggregation.

Aggregation scripts also give you flexibility. You can use them to save aggregate view selections optimized for different retrieval situations; for example, you can use one script to optimize retrievals in month-end reporting and another for daily retrieval requirements.

Aggregation scripts for a database become invalid when the selection it contains is invalid for the database. Create aggregation scripts when you create aggregations. Do not manually modify aggregation script files, which may cause unpredictable results. For information about when you must create aggregations and aggregation scripts, see Replacing Aggregations.

Creating Aggregation Scripts

Saved aggregation scripts enable you to split up the total aggregation process. You can materialize an aggregation at a different time than when the aggregate views for the aggregation are selected. The aggregation script contains information derived during the aggregate view selection phase.

  To create an aggregation script, use a tool:

Tool

Topic

Location

Administration Services

Calculating Aggregations to Improve Retrievals

Aggregation Design Wizard

Oracle Essbase Administration Services Online Help

MaxL

query database

execute aggregate selection

Oracle Essbase Technical Reference

Aggregation scripts are stored in the database directory as text files with the .csc extension and are valid as long as the dimension level structure in the outline has not changed. For information about when aggregation selections are invalid, see Replacing Aggregations. To avoid the potential clutter of invalid aggregation script files, use the Aggregation Design Wizard or manually delete aggregation scripts when they are no longer useful.

Executing Aggregation Scripts

Executing an aggregation script materializes the aggregate views specified within it. Although you can create multiple aggregation scripts, only one aggregation can be materialized at a time.

  To execute an aggregation script, use a tool:

Tool

Topic

Location

Administration Services

Calculating Aggregations to Improve Retrievals

Aggregation Design Wizard

Oracle Essbase Administration Services Online Help

MaxL

execute aggregate build

Oracle Essbase Technical Reference

Note:

When Aggregation Design Wizard displays the list of existing aggregation scripts, it lists all files with the .csc extension in the database directory. Only valid aggregation script files can be executed.