Detail Object

building semantic layer
1

Why do we need to create Detail Objects ? We could have easily created Dimension objects…What is the purpose of having Detail Objects ?

Developer_Designer (BOB member since 2009-08-09)

2

In order to avoid incompatibility issues. Check this topic for one such scenario.

Jansi :india: (BOB member since 2008-05-12)

3

Jansi,

Thanks for your response. I read your given link. But it does not answer my question. Let’s say I create a dimension object ‘Customer Name’ at the universe and a detail object ‘Customer Phone Number’. Why do I need to make it as a Detail object instead of Dimension ? Your given link discusses about the detail objects which are only created at the report level ?

Can you please give me an example so that I can understand more clearly ?

I appreciate your time.

Thanks

Developer_Designer (BOB member since 2009-08-09)

4

Please read the designer guide.

Jansi :india: (BOB member since 2008-05-12)

5

I have read the Designer guide once again. I still could not figure it out. The guide says ‘HOW’…but it never says ‘WHY’.

Developer_Designer (BOB member since 2009-08-09)

6

Check this topic.

Jansi :india: (BOB member since 2008-05-12)

7

Thanks Jansi. But it still did not serve my purpose. So far the informations I got about Detail Objects are:

  1. We cannot merge on Detail Object.
  2. We cannot drill on Detail Object.
  3. Detail Objects are not hierarchical. There is one to one relationship with Dimension Object as Detail Object has only one value.
  4. If you move Detail Object, it will also drag Dimension Object.
  5. Detail Object should be created from the same table as it’s parent Dimension.

But nobody is telling, why do we need to create detail object ? What is the main purpose of it ?

Thanks

Developer_Designer (BOB member since 2009-08-09)

8

It’s simply a way to organize your objects. You don’t need to have any Detail objects if you don’t want to. One advantage is that it reduces the number of objects that appear in a class so it isn’t so intimidating for the users if you have a universe with a very large number of objects.

tmarion :us: (BOB member since 2002-08-20)

9

You do not have to create detail objects at all. However, the “philosophy” of universe design says you should. Any item that is supporting information (phone number in your example) should become a detail. If you leave it as a dimension it doesn’t break your universe. But…

  1. You have to remove phone number from the natural drill path by creating custom drill hierarchies, as all dimension objects are (by default) drillable.
  2. If you combine data from multiple sources, you cannot use phone number unless you also use phone number from your other data source.

I have seen plenty of universes where no detail objects were created and they work fine. But they are not true to the “philosophy” of universe design. :slight_smile:

Dave Rathbun :us: (BOB member since 2002-06-06)