Introduction to Development with the

Essbase Java API

Tim Tow

Oracle ACE Director

Applied OLAP, Inc

Agenda

What?

Why?

How?

Basic object model discussion

How to get started

How to use samples

Show you Essbase under-the-covers

What is the Java API?

The JAPI

Native Java interface for Essbase

Object oriented

Makes it much different than C/VB APIs

All Essbase functionality except:

Creating load rules

Managing partitions

Managing users/groups (pre-9.3 only)

Why use the JAPI?

APIs are necessary when

Requirements include very specific needs

No other product does exactly what you need

Java API is necessary when

You need multi-platform support

Windows / Unix / Linux

Write Once Run Anywhere

Examples

Java client applications

Web / Web Services applications

Administrative utilities

Java API History

Many names through its history

APS - Analytic Provider Services (9.3.x 11.1.x)

AHAS - Analytic High Availability Services (9.0.x -9.2.x)

EDS Essbase Deployment Services (7x)

EES Essbase Enterprise Services (6)

Mass Analytics / Object API (pre-release)

Code has been very consistent

Few breaking changes to date

Code has also been very stable

Architecture

Three tier mode

Java API Client

`

Java Application Server (http) /

OS Process (tcpip)

TCPIP

HTTP / TCPIP

Essbase Server

Architecture

Embedded mode

a/k/a direct mode

Java API Client

`

Java Application Server (http) /

OS Process (tcpip)

TCPIP

HTTP / TCPIP

Essbase Server

How To Get Started

Java Terminology

JVM Java Virtual Machine

Layer between the application and OS

Interprets bytecode for target OS

.java file Java source code

.class file Compiled, executable java code

.properties file Java ini file

.jar file / Java archive of .class and other files

Comparable to the registry *and* dlls in ActiveX

Glorified zip file

.war file / Web archive of .jar and other files

How To Get Started

Required pieces

Java Development Kit (JDK)

Download from java.sun.com

Java IDE

JDeveloper

Eclipse / IntelliJ / others

APS server

APS jars

The Object Model

Common

Interfaces Purpose

IEssbase Initializes the API

IEssDomain Connection to the middle tier

IEssOlapServer Connection to the Essbase server

IEssApplication Represents an Essbase application

IEssCube Represents an Essbase database

IEssCubeView A window on which to do operations against a cube

IEssGridView A virtual grid on which to do operations

IEssMemberSelection A member query definition

IEssMember An Essbase member

Interface-driven

Separates your code from the API implementation

EDS Domain 7.1.3

APS Domain 11.1.x

Demo 1 3 tier

Deprecated methods

Demo 2 direct mode

How To Get Started

Sample code

Samples\japi subdirectory

Java code

Cmd files to compile/run the code

Demo 3 Essbase member info

Demo 3 Real World example

Challenges

How do I get what I want?

Think about how EAS or Excel may do it

Be careful for hidden pitfalls

Member information

Not all member selections are created equal

Works like Outline API where certain properties are not

always available based on *how* you got your object

Best Practices

Clean up your resources

Use try/catch/finally

Handle your errors

Close/disconnect explicitly

Prevents hanging connections

Especially important for EssMemberSelection objects

Understand the essbase.properties file

Best Practices 6.5.3 7.x

6.5.3 7X

Use EDS 7.1.3

Essbase.properties

If Essbase/EDS versions are different

server.olap.direct=false is mandatory

Use file domain storage settings

Summary

Java API is:

Object Oriented

Part of Analytic Provider Services

A strategic API for Essbase

Questions?