Mastering FOCUS: Filtering Data, Designer Pages, and Configuring DB2
Tigma Technologies, Inc.
ibi? WebFOCUS?, Pyramid Analytics, Spotfire, MicroStrategy, Power BI, Tableau, Data Viz, Big Data, BW, DV, MDM, EBX
?Introduction
Are you ready to take your FOCUS skills to the next level? In this post, we'll break down the key takeaways from the latest FOCUS Friday webinar, where experts Walter Brengel and Renee Teatro shar their insights on three crucial topics:
1. Filtering data effectively using IF and WHERE conditions
2. Creating interactive dashboards by assembling Designer Pages?
3. Configuring FOCUS to seamlessly access DB2 databases
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to tackle these challenges in your own projects. Let's dive in!
Link:
?Filtering Data Like a Pro
Imagine you have a massive database, but you only need a subset of that data for your report. That's where filtering comes in. FOCUS provides two powerful methods to filter your data: IF conditions and WHERE expressions.
?IF Conditions: Simple and Straightforward
IF conditions allow you to compare a single field to a value using the following syntax:
IF field_name operator value
Simply specify the field name, the operator (such as equals or greater than), and the comparison value. Multiple IF statements are automatically connected with AND. It's that easy!
?WHERE Expressions: Flexible and Sophisticated
For more complex filtering logic, such as combining conditions with OR, you'll want to use WHERE expressions:
WHERE expression
WHERE expressions support AND, OR, and parentheses, enabling you to build sophisticated conditions comparing fields to values, other fields, or more complex expressions.
Key Points to Remember:
?Bonus Tip: Reusable Filters
You can also define reusable filters in a separate file:
FILTER FILE filename
NAME=filtername
WHERE expression
To activate the filter, simply use:
SET FILTER= filtername IN filename ON
?Assembling Designer Pages: Interactive Dashboards Made Easy
Designer Pages allow you to combine multiple reports and charts into a single interactive dashboard. There are two ways to assemble pages:
1. From Existing Content Use the "Assemble Visualizations" option and choose the reports you want to include. This method connects to already created reports, making it quick and easy to build your dashboard.
2. Authoring New Content Create a new report in Designer and convert it to a page. Then, add more containers and content to build your dashboard from scratch. This approach gives you full control over the design and layout.
Powerful Capabilities at Your Fingertips:
领英推荐
Adding a Report to a Page:
1. Drag or double click the report
2. Click the purple info icon to see the report path and parameters
3. Click "Add all filters" to include the report filters on the page
4. Rearrange and style the filter controls as needed
5. Set default filter values if desired
6. Link filters together by dragging one under another to create a hierarchy
?Configuring DB2 Access: A Seamless Connection
To access DB2 data from FOCUS, you need to configure either the Call Level Interface (CLI) or Call Attach Facility (CAF).
?CLI Configuration:
1. Create an EDACONF member specifying DB2 CLI=YES and the DB2 version
2. Create an EDASERVE member with the connection details (location, user, password)
?CAF Configuration with EDASERVE:
1. Bind the DB2 plan using the supplied JCL and DBRM
2. Create an EDACONF member with DB2 CAF=YES and version
3. Create an EDASERVE member specifying the DB2 SSID and PLAN
?CAF Configuration without EDASERVE:
1. Bind the supplied DBRM as above
2. Copy RRSET99 to RRSET
3. Create an EDASERVE specifying SSID and PLAN
Testing the Connection:
To verify your configuration, run the supplied JCL or CLIST that issues DB2 SQL and checks the &VARIABLES.
Expert Recommendations:
?Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have a solid foundation in filtering data, assembling Designer Pages, and configuring DB2 access in FOCUS. Armed with these techniques, you're ready to tackle your own projects with confidence.
At Tigma Technologies, we leverage the power of FOCUS to deliver cutting-edge solutions for our clients. Our team of experts stays up to date with the latest features and best practices to ensure that we provide the most efficient and effective data management and reporting solutions.
By mastering the art of filtering data, assembling interactive dashboards, and seamlessly connecting to DB2 databases, we help our clients unlock valuable insights and make data driven decisions. With FOCUS as our tool of choice, we're able to create customized, scalable, and high performance applications that meet the unique needs of each client.
Start applying these concepts in your environment, and don't hesitate to reach out to the team at Tigma Technologies if you have any questions along the way. We're here to help you succeed.
Happy FOCUSing!