Essbase Calculation Script Overview

Essbase Calculation Script Overview

       Calculation Script is group of command lines, those are use for calculation. Calculation scripts are text files that define how to calculate data in the database. In a block storage database, they represent the second method of calculations after the basic outline calculations. Calculation scripts perform calculations different from the consolidations and mathematical operations that are defined in the database outline. Calculation scripts files have a “*.csc” extension.

       A database contain two types of values: the values we have enter and the values that are calculated from the input data. 

• Outline calculations:  Outline calculations represent the simplest method of calculation. In BSO Essbase calculates the database according to the relationships between members in the database outline and according to member consolidation operators or formulas.
• Script based calculations: A calculation script contains a series of calculation commands, equations, and formulas. We use calculation scripts exactly how we want Essbase to calculate a BSO.
• With custom calculation scripts, we can override default database calculation on a temporary or permanent basis. In custom calculation scripts, we can refer to calculation rules defined in the database outline. The most common commands that reference outline calculations are CALC ALL, CALC DIM and AGG.

Calculation script Organization: 

        When creating a large calculation script, you need to plan the process, creating an architecture for calculation structure. Creating an architecture gives your calculation scripts a logical flow and ensures that calculation order and data block construction provide correct answers and optimal performance. Calculation script is organized in six standard sections:

• Information: It contains of details like script name, created by, on date, purpose of the script, directions to execute, versions, assumptions, comments, revised by and description.
• Housekeeping: This section sets the stage for the next sequence of calculations to occur. Two categories of commands used are SET and data manipulation commands. 
• SET commands prepare the calculator for proper processing of the commands in the resr of the script.
• SET CACHE HIGH: Instructs the calculation process to use the highest calculator cache setting stored in Essbase.cfg file.
• SET MSG SUMMARY: Instructs Essbase to display summary-level message in the application log of calculation process.
• SET UPDATECALC OFF: turns the intelligent calculator off. When intelligent calculation is used, Essbase calculates only blocks that were updated since the last calculation.
• SET CALCPARALLEL 4: Enables parallel calculation across four threads, in place of default serial calculation.
• Baseline fix: The baseline fix section is found near the top of most calculation scripts and defines the specific focus of the script. There are a number of issues to consider when creating a baseline fix. 
• Because Essbase requires you to reference data across all dimensions, it is common practice to add a member such as No customer to a dimension to represent data to which the dimension does not apply.