Accessing a Workspace from SQL-Based Applications

SQL programmers can query data in the analytic workspace using SQL SELECT statements that use OLAP table functions and by embedding OLAP DML commands in their SQL scripts. The Oracle9i OLAP User's Guide describes these activities.

Using SQL SELECT Statements

SQL programmers can query analytic workspace data using SQL SELECT statements.

• If the analytic workspace has already been defined to the relational schema using the CWM2_OLAP_AW_ACCESS PL/SQL package, views of the analytic workspace have been created. You can query the analytic workspace by using SQL SELECT statements against these SQL views. This method requires minimum knowledge of the underlying data in the analytic workspace.
• You can query the analytic workspace using the OLAP_TABLE function in SQL SELECT statements. This method requires intimate knowledge of the analytic workspace data. The OLAP_TABLE function is provided with Oracle OLAP.

Using Embedded OLAP DML Commands

Using the procedures and functions in the DBMS_AW package, SQL programmers can issue OLAP DML statements against analytic workspace data. They can move data from relational tables into an analytic workspace, perform advanced analysis of the data (for example, forecasting), and move data from the analytic workspace back into relational tables.