Intelligent Query and Reporting against DB2. Jens Dahl Mikkelsen SAS Institute A/S

Transcription

1 Intelligent Query and Reporting against DB2 Jens Dahl Mikkelsen SAS Institute A/S

2 DB2 Reporting Pains Difficult and slow to get information on available tables and columns table and column contents/definitions Normalized data design difficult to combine data tables to get information. Reporting tools runnig out of steam with too high threshold level for regular folks (SQL expertise required)

3 Query and Reporting Project Provide a user friendly, powerful, and flexible query and reporting tool designed for mainframe DB2/SAS users serving as a gateway for DB2 users to the strengths of the SAS information delivery world optionally serving as an ad-hoc tool exploiting a data warehouse.

4 What is Query and Reporting in SAS/ASSIST Software? Consists of a Query Manager. Query Window. SQL Editor Window. Report Engine Window. Result Manager Window. Is an integrated part of SAS/ASSIST Software.

5 Intended users End-users needing an intuitive Q & R tool. Programmers needing an advanced SQL editor. Business specialists needing extensive data analysis and reporting features. Thus the users may / may not know DB2 / SAS / SQL. Should know how to use a keyboard.

6 The Query Manager Store and display information (metadata) of available DB2 or SAS tables, such as: Table/column descriptions (type, label, size, definition, value set,...). Indexes and key columns. Relations (referential constraints) between tables.

7 The Query Manager Perform automatic joins of tables. Fast access to meta data (SAS tables). Dynamic or static. Easy switch between query managers - and DB2/SAS data sources. Site specific setup (sample programs included). Costumizable and extendable e.g. display data warehouse metadata for ad-hoc reporting users.

8 The Query Window Generate and run queries from intelligent selection lists, no SQL knowledge required. Display output in various ways. Create output SAS/DB2 tables or views. Queries support automatic joins inner, left, right, full joins prompts subsets, expressions, column functions group processing and ordering.

9 The SQL Editor Text editor submitting SQL to DB2 or SAS SELECT queries (producing output) NON-SELECT SQL (e.g. CREATE...). Create DB2 table or SAS file from query. Table/column selection lists / info Template ( draw ) feature for one / more tables. Include / store SQL queries in SAS catalogs or external files.

10 The Report Engine Window One report specification window generating lists tables graphs dynamic reports (drill down features). Transparency across several SAS procs. Source can be ad hoc queries (non-stored) stored queries SAS files (views/tables).

11 The Result Manager Window Overview of saved queries, reports, output, source,... Manage entries edit / browse / delete / rename / copy execute (foreground, batch) export to external file create script (multiple entries in a job stream).

12 General SAS/ASSIST Enhancements Save current selections in task windows restore selections managable from the Result Manager Window. Export to external files (e.g. comma delimited, column oriented). Pull-down menus or command buttons.

13 General SAS/ASSIST Enhancements Private Menu Customise interface for individual user or groups of users Block menu or list menu style. Profile Environment administering individual users, groups or all users. Call SAS/ASSIST tasks from other SAS applications.

14 Availability Features demoed are available. Mainframe: Release 6.08 TS level 430 (Production) Desktop: Release 6.11 (Orlando) (Beta)

15 Let s have a demo... Query and Reporting in SAS/ASSIST Software

16 Support Documentation: SAS/ASSIST Software: Changes and Enhancements, Version 6, First Edition (#55319). Education: Course notes: Introduction to SAS/ASSIST Software: Query and Reporting 2 day course Ask your local SAS Institute education department for availability.

17 QMF Conversion Utilities for converting IBM QMF queries forms (simple) procs. Available on request including consulting assistance.

18 Performance vs. QMF Query performance similar to QMF DB2 interaction thru DB2 CAF (same as QMF). But less DB2 interaction metadata in SAS tables more intelligence, get it right first time reporting done on SAS tables off loads DB2 faster to get from data to information.

19 Questions? SAS and SAS/ASSIST are registered trademarks of SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC, USA. DB2 and QMF are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.

20 S THE SAS SYSTEM FOR Intelligent Query and Reporting Against DB2