Chapter 8 [ 335 ] As you can see from the actual Essbase API Reference images, the guidance and instructions are very helpful. You get a complete explanation of the function and tasks it can perform. You get an example showing exactly how to code the function. Many times we will just copy and paste the example into an actual subroutine and modify as needed. You also get information on any special requirements the function may have. For instance the Init function must be performed before any other Essbase API function. Best of all you get a list of any related functions that are either required to accompany the subject function or are similar and may be a better t for what you are trying to accomplish. This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423 Download at Boykma.Com Automating your Essbase Cube [ 336 ] The sample API subroutine explained What we will do now is take the VB subroutine from the previous example and show you how it would look in a real program. Sub BrowseOutlineAlterReport() ESB_Init 'Initialize the API ESB_Login(Server, UserID, Password, hInst) 'Login to server ESB_SetActive(hCtx, ApName, DbName) 'Connect to a database ESB_OtlOpenOutline 'Open a database outline ESB_OtlRestructure 'Restructure the outline ESB_OtlCloseOutline 'Close the outline ESB_ClearActive 'Disconnect from a database ESB_Logout 'Logout from the server ESB_Term 'Terminate the API End Sub You have just completed our instruction for the Essbase API section of this chapter. We know that you now feel condent that you can take advantage of the Essbase API functionality and make your life a lot easier. Because the Essbase API functions execute on the analytic server, the same tasks or functions that could be performed through EAS or the Microsoft Excel add-in will almost always execute substantially faster than on the client. Systems built with extensive use of automated Essbase API functionality are usually more reliable since there is no need for a human to be in there messing things up. This same reason also seems to make the automated systems more stable as well. All in all, it is better to plan for the long haul and do some of the hard work up front in terms of writing code. This method of system development does nothing but keep paying you back with long term dividends. This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423 Download at Boykma.Com Chapter 8 [ 337 ] Summary Well that should just about put you over the top. You have a system built with the best multidimensional OLAP software available and now it's nearing a lights out operation with you automating the majority of your routine database maintenance and administration tasks. How can you contain yourself? As with the other chapters in this book we can honestly tell you that even if this book were one thousand pages long, we would be barely scratching the surface of the knowledge and experience you can gain from plain old tinkering around with Essbase. Do yourself a real favor and play! Next up in Chapter 9, is a comprehensive array of Essbase system tips and tricks. These items will help you when it comes to performance tuning your application, database and server conguration, memory management for server and client and much more. . This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423 Download at Boykma.Com This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423 Download at Boykma.Com Advanced Techniques Well here we are at a place in this book where the information being presented to you is not so much mandatory as it is optional, and it can be used as needed. In actuality, the default settings with your Essbase installation are perfectly adequate for most applications. It is only when your needs start to expand beyond the ordinary that you will nd yourself looking for ways to tweak your Essbase system performance. In this chapter you will nd a variety of database and system settings and adjustments that will help you keep your Essbase database running at top performance. While we highly recommend that you actually read this entire chapter the rst time through, it can also be used as a handy reference if and when you feel you may need to enhance your current system's performance or make improvements that will allow for trouble free growth in your system. Performance tuning your database Unlike many of the more typical relational database applications, Essbase has many more database administrator options that can drastically affect the performance and reliability of your Essbase database system. Perhaps it's time to repeat what we've said before, "Essbase is an art, not a science." There, we'll let that sink in a little bit. What we mean by the previous and often repeated statement is that most of the time your experience and good judgment can be far more valuable when giving consideration to tuning your Essbase database than any stale old list of hard-coded formulas. This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 2009 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 79423 Download at Boykma.Com . 20 09 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 794 23 Download at Boykma.Com This material is copyright and is licensed for the sole use by Paul Corcorran on 5th July 20 09 8601 ave. p #1, , lubbock, , 794 23 Download. for the Essbase API section of this chapter. We know that you now feel condent that you can take advantage of the Essbase API functionality and make your life a lot easier. Because the Essbase. you can gain from plain old tinkering around with Essbase. Do yourself a real favor and play! Next up in Chapter 9, is a comprehensive array of Essbase system tips and tricks. These items will