Concepts → Materialized View Formula Column

About a materialized view formula column

A materialized view formula column contains a formula expression that returns a scalar value of a specific data type and functions as either a measure or a dimension. During a load job, the Loader Service processes the formula expression and persists the returned values to shared storage. To define the formula expression of a formula column, you use the Formula Builder.

Properties of a materialized view formula column

Following are the properties of a materialized view formula column:

Property Control Description
Show in Analyzer checkbox Select this property to show the column as selectable in the Data Panel
Name text box The column’s name; used in the fully qualified name of the column
Label text box A user friendly name
Type read only The data type of the column. The data type of a column in a materialized view is determined by the formula result.
Function drop down list Select the Incorta Function of the column

Type inference

Based on the output of the formula expression, the Table Editor will automatically infer the data type of a formula column. You can modify the formula expression to explicitly cast the data type of the return value. For example, you can use a built-in function such as int() to specify that the formula expression returns an integer value.

Note

Some databases such as Oracle and SQL Server will store a time component for a column of the type DATE. For this reason, Incorta will infer a Timestamp data type for a database DATE column.

Function

A materialized view formula column can be used as a dimension or a measure.

Function: Dimension

A dimension categorizes, describes, or groups data. Examples of a dimension column are State, Year, or City. Dimension columns do not require unique values.

A dimension column has an associated behavior in the Analyzer. When you double-click a dimension column in the Data panel, the Analyzer automatically adds the column to the Grouping Dimension tray in the Insight panel.

Function: Measure

A measure is a measurement of data. Examples of a measure column are Revenue, Quantity, and Cost.

A measure column has an associated behavior in the Analyzer. When you double-click a measure column in the Data panel, the Analyzer automatically adds the column to the Measure tray in the Insight panel.

Formula expression for a materialized view formula column

A formula expression returns a scalar value or array of values. These values are of a specific type. A formula expression can consist of built-in functions, date system variables, and referenceable columns.

Available built-in functions

There are several groups of built-in functions available for use in a formula expression for a materialized view formula column. All functions return a scalar value:

Function Type Description
Boolean Evaluates to True or False
Conditional Statement Returns a value based on the evaluation of a parameter
Conversion Converts the Incorta Data Type of a parameter. In addition, functions that manipulate Timestamp and Date values for different return values.
Miscellaneous Assorted uses
Arithmetic Takes one or more values and return a single value
Date Manipulates Timestamp and Date values
String Returns string values or return values based on string parameters

Date system variables

Only date system variables are supported for use in a materialized view formula column.

Important

If you reference the $user variable or a session variable in a materialized view formula column, you will encounter either a validation or load error.

Referenceable columns

A referenceable column has a fully qualified name. A referenceable column can be a data-backed column or formula column. A materialized view formula column is evaluated during a load job.

A materialized view will not inherit joins from its queried source columns. A materialized view formula column’s possible reference options are bound by the child join relationships of the materialized view. If the materialized view is not the child in any join relationship, the only columns that can be used in a materialized view formula column are the materialized view’s existing columns.

Following are the possible types of referenceable columns in a materialized view formula column:

Table or View Type Column Type Referenceable Note
Alias Data-backed column Yes
Alias Formula column Yes
Business Schema View Data-backed column No
Business Schema View Formula column No
Incorta Analyzer Table Data-backed column Yes
Incorta Analyzer Table Formula column Yes
Incorta SQL Table Data-backed column Yes The Incorta SQL Table is an Incorta Labs feature and is enabled in the CMC.
Incorta View Data-backed column No
Incorta View Formula column No
Materialized View Data-backed column Yes
Materialized View Formula column Yes
Physical Schema Table Data-backed column Yes
Physical Schema Table Formula column Yes
Note

A load job will reveal an error for a non-validated formula expression for a physical schema table formula column.

When using system variables in the physical schema, the system variable’s value is only calculated on a schema load. Take this into account when using them in any aspect of your physical schema.


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