© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software Performant Prompting Neil Warner – Client Technical Professional 29 April 2011

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 2 Topics  Prompt page design

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 3 Topics  Prompt page design  Large dataset considerations

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 4 Topics  Prompt page design  Large dataset considerations  Concurrent query execution (query hint)

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 5 Topics  Prompt page design  Large dataset considerations  Concurrent query execution (query hint)  Prompt reconciliation (query hint)

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 6 Topics  Prompt page design  Large dataset considerations  Concurrent query execution (query hint)  Prompt reconciliation (query hint)  Query caching

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 7 Topics  Prompt page design  Large dataset considerations  Concurrent query execution (query hint)  Prompt reconciliation (query hint)  Query caching  Prompt data caching

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 8 Topics  Prompt page design  Large dataset considerations  Concurrent query execution (query hint)  Prompt reconciliation (query hint)  Query caching  Prompt data caching  Run options

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 9 Prompt Page Design  Authored vs. generated prompt pages  Single vs. multiple prompt pages  Conditional blocks  Conditional rendering vs. no rendering  Dedicated prompt queries  Using model settings to control generated queries

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 10 Large Datasets Considerations  Select & search prompt  Cascading prompt controls  Tree prompts  Limiting use of reprompt

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 11 Concurrent Query Execution  Available starting in 8.2  Controlled by query hint AND advanced server properties  Issues simultaneous queries to database  Helps when majority of report execution time occurs during query execution  Individually set for batch report service and report service

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 12 Concurrent Query Execution: Advanced Server Properties  RSVP.CONCURRENTQUERY.NUMHELPERSPERPROCESS –Default is 0 –Setting greater than 0 enables concurrent query execution –Specifies maximum number of query execution helpers per report/batch report service –Each helper executes one query at a time  RSVP.CONCURRENTQUERY.MAXNUMHELPERSPERREPORT –Default is 1 –Setting greater than 1 is required to benefit from concurrent query execution –Specifies maximum number of query execution helpers per report –Prevents a report from consuming all available helpers  RSVP.CONCURRENTQUERY.ENABLEDFORINTERACTIVEOUTPUT –Default is ‘False’ –Setting of ‘True’ enables concurrent query execution when producing interactive output –For interactive reports, some queries may be executed but the results are not used

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 13 Prompt Reconciliation  Ensures prompt control properties are consistent with associated parameter properties –Cardinality [Query Item] = ?parameter? Single value [Query Item] in ?parameter?Multiple values [Level]->?parameter?Single value Set ([Level]->?parameter?)Multiple values #prompt (“parameter”, …)#Single value #promptmany (“parameter”, …)#Multiple values Other parameter usage in data itemsSingle value –Discreteness [Query Item] = ?parameter? Discrete value [Query Item] in_range ?parameter?Range values #prompt[many] (“parameter”, …)#Discrete value(s) Other parameter usage in data itemsDiscrete value –Optionality #prompt[many] (“parameter”, …)#Mandatory #prompt[many] (“parameter”, …, “value”)#Optional Other parameter usage in data itemsMandatory –Data type

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 14 Prompt Reconciliation: Query Hint: Use For Parameter Info  Available starting in 8.2  Prioritizes queries used to obtain parameter information  Controls data typing and capabilities  Complements automatic query prioritization

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 15 Use For Parameter Info: Advanced Server Properties  Complements ‘Use For Parameter Info’ Query Hint  Prioiritizes and groups queries –Queries with query hint Use For Parameter Info set to true –Filtered queries not associated with prompt controls (Group 1) –Filtered queries associated with prompt controls (Group 2) –Unfiltered queries not associated with prompt controls (Group 3) –Unfiltered queries associated with prompt controls (Group 4)  RSVP.PROMPT.RECONCILIATION –Complete (Default) –Grouped, Chunked Grouped, Chunked  RSVP.PROMPT.RECONCILIATION.CHUNKSIZE –Sets chunk size for Chunked and Chunked Grouped –Default is 5

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 16 Use For Parameter Info: Advanced Server Properties 1234 Complete Grouped Chunked Chunked Grouped Query Groups RSVP.PROMPT. RECONCILIATION. CHUNKSIZE * RSVP.PROMPT. RECONCILIATION *

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 17 Query Caching  Prevents re-preparation of queries when reprompting –Select & Search control –Same page cascading prompts –Explicit reprompt  Controlled by “queryReuse” in CQEConfig.xml  Default of 5 cached queries  Does not span report executions

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 18 Prompt Data Caching  Available starting in 8.2 MR1  Prompt values stored in Content Manager  Prompts populated based on stored values  Useful for non-volatile, non-user specific prompt data  Cache created with jobs –Cache does not expire –Refreshed based on job schedule  Cache created with report properties –Cache expires based on report property setting –Refreshed on first report execution or first execution following cache expiry

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 19 Prompt Data Caching: Cacheable Queries  Query must be referenced by a prompt page  Query must be able to execute without parameter values (no parameterized filters or parameters used in item definitions in the model)  Queries associated with cascaded prompt controls are not cacheable (parameterized filter is implicitly applied when a parent value is selected)  Queries on tree prompt controls use the prePopulateLevels property to determine how much data is cached

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 20 Run Options: Prompt For Values  Always see authored prompt pages, if any  No attempt is made to execute a report page until Finish is pressed on an authored prompt page  Better for reports with authored prompt pages Prompt Run Option Checked  An attempt is made to execute report page first  If unsatisfied parameters, you may see prompt pages  For optimal performance, all parameters, including optional parameters, should have values Prompt Run Option Unchecked

© 2011 IBM Corporation Business Analytics software 21 Run Options: Advanced Server Properties  RSVP.PROMPT.ALLREMAININGOPTIONAL –Applies when there are authored prompt pages –Controls if a generated prompt page appears if only optional parameters remaining after finishing the authored prompt page sequence