4.5 Independent Query

For cases when you need greater control over data access or more sophisticated logic than that provided by a generic data model, you can create an independent query.

A query is a specific request for data from the database, and often incorporates advanced or proprietary database features. A query is similar to a relational database view, except that a query is normally not generic enough to be created as permanent database object. Nevertheless, Style Intelligence queries can be quite flexible, depending on the query parameters and data selection.

For non-relational data sources, queries are often the only available means to obtain the required dataset. In this situation, a generic query can indeed serve the same role as a database view. For relational databases, Style Intelligence also treats stored procedures and other query derivatives as queries.

You can create a query by using simple drag-and-drop operations, or by manually entering a valid SQL string. (See Creating a New Query and Editing a Query SQL String, respectively.) You can choose to save the query publicly, so that it will available to all Viewsheets, Worksheets, and reports, or you can choose to embed the query within a specific report.

Queries and data models are independent of one another. However, you can transform and combine queries with data models for use in more sophisticated applications by using the Data Block technology provided by Data Worksheets. (See Data Mashup for more details.)

<< 4.4.4 Extending a Logical Model © 1996-2013 InetSoft Technology Corporation (v11.5) 4.5.1 Creating a New Query >>