Formulas calculate relationships between members in a database outline. If you are familiar with using formulas on block storage outlines, consider the following differences when using formulas on aggregate storage outlines:
Essbase provides a native calculation language (the Calc language, or Calc) to write formulas on block storage outlines. To write formulas for aggregate storage outlines, the MDX (Multidimensional Expressions) language is required.
Apply formulas directly to members in the database outline. For block storage databases, formulas can be placed in a calculation script. For aggregate storage databases, you cannot place formulas in a calculation script.
The current chapter concentrates on using MDX to write formulas on aggregate storage databases. For information about using MDX to write queries, see Writing MDX Queries. For information about writing formulas for block storage outlines, see Developing Formulas for Block Storage Databases. Also see the MDX section of the Oracle Essbase Technical Reference.