Concepts → Internal Session Variable

About an Internal Session Variable

Incorta creates a user session when a user signs in and authenticates. The session persists until the user signs out or the session expires. A session variable stores in-memory a scalar value or an array of values for a user session.

An internal session variable stores a scalar value or an array of values from the result of an internal query expression. Using the Formula Builder, you can define an internal query expression. An internal query expression queries a physical schema table or runtime business view. In this regard, the adjective “internal” references physical schemas and business schemas within a given tenant.

At the start of the user’s authenticated session, Incorta invokes all the internal session variables that the user has access to. From this point on, the internal session variable is immutable. During the user session, if there is an update to the source physical schema table and the table is loaded into memory, the updated value is not reflected in the user’s internal session variable. The user will need to sign out and start a new authenticated session.

Important

The owner of a scheduled job for the email delivery of a dashboard defines the user session for the emailed dashboard. If the dashboard or dashboard insights contain references to internal session variables, the values of the internal session variables are defined by the user session of the scheduled job owner.

You use the Schema Manager to create and test an internal session variable. You use the Formula Builder to specify the query expression. You can reference an internal session variable in specific expression contexts such as a formula expression. You can assign access rights to an internal session variable.

Properties of an internal session variable

Here are the properties of an internal session variable.

Property	Control	Description
Name	text box	Enter the name of the internal session variable
Description	text box	Optional description of internal session variable.
Query	Formula Builder	Construct an internal query expression using the Formula Builder. The internal query expression result is the value of the internal session variable.

Access rights for an internal session variable

Following are the available access rights for an internal session variable:

Property	Icon	Description
Can View	eye	The user can see the internal session variable when signed in and use it within an Insight.
Can Share	node tree	The user is able to share the internal session variable with other users.
Can Edit	pen and paper	The user is able to edit the properties, such as the query, of the internal session variable.

Test an internal session variable

If you have edit access rights to the internal session variable and belong to a group with the Schema Manager role, you can test the variable. There are two forms of testing a session variable:

Test: The result of the variable for the current user.

Test As: You can select a different user to test how the variable will display information for that user. This is useful when testing if permissions are configured properly or the output of the variable is dependent on the user.

Note

The result of a test on an internal session variable is independent of the current user’s session. As such, if the internal query expression’s source schema is updated during your session the test result will reflect the change. Your session’s captured value of the internal session variable will not express this update. You will need to sign out and start a new session to have your internal session variable value updated.

Following are the general steps to testing an internal session variable:

Steps to test an internal session variable

Sign in to the Incorta Direct Data Platform.
In the Navigation bar, select Schema.
In the Action bar, select + New → Session Variable → Internal Session Variable.
In the Internal Variable dialog, specify the internal session variable properties.
Select Test to ensure the correct data is captured in the constructed query.
- Test As can be used to confirm the data output of the variable to different users based on their permissions settings.
Select Add.