A data object is a BIRT object that contains all the information necessary to connect to an external data source, retrieve data from that data source, and structure the data in a way that supports business analysis. A data object is a collection of the following BIRT objects:
Data sources
Data sets
Data cubes
A data object can include any number of data sources, data sets, and data cubes. Data objects enable Report Studio users to focus on the data to present in a report, rather than focusing on how to obtain the data. Building a data object entails creating a data object file, then adding data sources, data sets, and cubes to the data object.
Building a data object
Building a data object entails creating a data object file, then adding data sources, data sets, and cubes to the data object.
How to create a data object
1 In the Report Design perspective, choose File➛New➛Data Object.
2 In New Data Object, do the following:
1 Select the folder in which to store the data object and choose next.
2 Edit the default file name to specify a new name. The extension must be .datadesign and the file name must not contain the following characters:
[ ] * / \ : & ?
Use a descriptive name that enables users to determine the contents of the data object. A descriptive name is particularly important if users have access to multiple data objects.
3 Choose Finish. The report editor displays a blank data object design, as shown in Figure 3‑14.
Figure 3‑14 Displaying a blank data object design
3 Add data sources, data sets, and cubes to the data object.
Deploying data objects
Data object files must reside in a project’s Shared Resources folder. By default, a project’s Shared Resources folder is the project folder. If the Shared Resources folder is not the project folder, you must copy data object files to the Shared Resources folder before publishing. To check the location of the Shared Resources folder, in BIRT Designer Professional, choose Window➛Preferences and then Actuate BIRT➛Resource.
When you publish data object files to an Encyclopedia volume, the files are published to the IO Designs folder in the Encyclopedia volume’s resource folder. The resource folder’s default location is /Resources. You must have write privilege on the resource folder.
How to copy data object files to the shared resources folder
1 In Navigator, select the appropriate .datadesign or .data file.
2 Choose File➛Copy to Resources➛Copy Information Objects to Shared Resources Folder.
3 In Share Data Object, shown in Figure 3‑15, type the name of the destination file and select any subfolder of the resource directory by choosing Browse.
Figure 3‑15 Copying a data object file to Shared Resources
4 Choose Finish.
How to publish data object files as resources
1 Choose File➛Publish➛Publish Files.
2 In Publish Files, in Server profile, choose an server profile from the drop‑down list.
3 In Project, select the appropriate project from the drop-down list.
4 Select Publish Resources.
5 Select the appropriate files and folders, as shown in Figure 3‑16.
Figure 3‑16 Publishing data object files as resources
6 In Version:
1 Select Replace the latest version to replace the latest version of each file, or Create a new version to create a new version of each file.
2 To copy permissions from the last version of each file, select Copy permissions from last version. If you do not select Copy permissions from last version, you must set the permissions for each file using Visualization Platform.
7 Choose Publish Files.
A confirmation dialog, shown in Figure 3‑17, appears.
Data sources
