Glossary
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The file extension for an Analysis Services Dimension.
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The file extension for an SSIS package.
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The recommended suffix for revisions spec filenames for extensions. For example a Blackbaud Product Development filename may be DBREV00001.XML. Whereas a third party extension should appear as DBREV10001_EXT.XML. Also a suffix for extension tables in Blackbaud Data Warehouse.
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A suffix used in stored procedures to create or drop indexes on tables in Blackbaud Data Warehouse.
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The recommended suffix for staging tables. Extensions staging tables should also have the _EXT suffix (_EXT_STAGE).
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Add Data Forms are created using an AddDataFormTemplateSpec. Add Data Forms add new records to the system. Add Data Forms consist of a save implementation which is the business logic tier code used to save the data to the data store. Optionally, a load implementation can be used to define processing before the user interface is displayed.
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An AddDataFormTemplateSpec describes a data form used to add new records.
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Batches enable users to add, edit, and delete a group of rows to and from a staging area. From the staging area, the rows can be reviewed, validated, and then finally committed to the production tables such as the Constituent tables or the Revenue tables.
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The BBDW OLAP cube is a distinct data structure populated by data from a Blackbaud Data Warehouse database.
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Contains settings for the deployment utility.
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Contains settings for the deployment utility.
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BBDW_DeletedIDTables_EXT.txt is flat file accessed during deployment that indicates deleted ID tables.
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BBDW_ETL.dtsx is the master ETL Package for Blackbaud Data Warehouse. As a part of its logic, it runs other Blackbaud Product Development ETL Packages and extension ETL Packages.
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A manifest of ETL Packages used to extend a Blackbaud Data Warehouse. This flat file is accessed during deployments. The master ETL package establishes a connection to BBDW_PackageList_EXT.txt to determine which extension ETL Packages to run.
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The connection manager that establishes a connection between the master ETL package and the flat file that maintains a list of extension ETL Packages to run (BBETL_PackageList_EXT).
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Business Intelligence Semantic Model. A queryable model from Microsoft that performs some of the functions of UDM. BISM is a part of Microsoft's BI roadmap.
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A Blackbaud Data Warehouse database is organized according to a modified star schema or constellation. But the warehouse can be accessed as if structured according to a pure star schema using views. Online analytical processing is accomplished through a set of features in an Infinity application such as Blackbaud Enterprise CRM. Data from a Blackbaud Data Warehouse can also be exported and processed in a environment such as Microsoft Excel.
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BISM. A queryable model from Microsoft that performs some of the functions of UDM. Business Intelligence Semantic Model is a part of Microsoft's BI roadmap.
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Code tables are a specific type of table used on forms and grids to populate drop-down lists. A CodeTableSpec is similar to a TableSpec in that it can describe a database table. But a CodeTableSpec cannot describe columns, indexes, etc.
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A modified star schema in which fact tables reference other fact tables.
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A flow view for an SSIS package.
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A DDL statement in Transact-SQL that creates a new stored procedure.
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A DDL statement in Transact-SQL that creates a new table.
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A prefix used for stored procedures to create or drop indexes on tables in Blackabaud Data warehouse.
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A flow view for an SSIS package.
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A component in a Data Flow Task in an SSIS Package.
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Data lists are used to display a list of data in a tabular format. The rows that comprise a data list typically come from a database. But, you can display data from other data sources. There are two different types of specs used to create a data list: Data List Spec (SP) and Data List Spec (CLR).
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An important model to establish before extending the BBDW database.
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A data warehouse contains business information organized and stored in such a way that queries and reports can be run quickly with less impact on a working database.
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A DataListSpec describes a list of data based on a relationship between records.
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Table or set of tables that divides data related to a Fact table.
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Specifies the details for extensions to dimensional usage by a measure group. A Dimensional Usage Extensions spec can then be referenced in the Manifest Extensions spec to be processed by the deployment utility.
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Remove all indexes from a table.
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Specifies the details for a Data Source View table. A DSV Tables Extensions spec can then be referenced in the Manifest Extensions spec to be processed by the deployment utility.
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Edit Data Forms are created using an EditDataFormTemplateSpec. Edit Data Forms are used to edit existing records in the system. The ID of the content to be edited will need to be sent to the Edit Data Form has to be provided so that it knows what record is being edited. They consist of a “load” stored procedure, which loads the existing data in the data form, and a “save” stored procedure which saves any changes a user makes.
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An EditDataFormTemplateSpec describes a data form used to edit existing records. A context ID must be provided to the data form to indicate the record to be edited.
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Extract, Transform, and Load is a data warehousing process in which data is gathered from various locations (extracted), processed (transformed), and placed in a data warehouse (loaded).
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Used to execute stored procedures and functions in Transact-SQL.
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The portion of an ETL process in which data is gathered or extracted from other sources.
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ETL is a data warehousing process in which data is gathered from various locations (extracted), processed (transformed), and placed in a data warehouse (loaded).
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Table that comprises measurements.
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Specifies the details for extensions to a DSV Table. A Fact Extensions spec can then be referenced in the Manifest Extensions spec to be processed by the deployment utility.
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Features within an Infinity application are grouped into sections called functional areas.
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A FunctionalAreaSpec can describe an area in an Infinity application (e.g. Constituents, Revenue, Data, Major Giving). A FunctionalAreaSpec describes the name, image, and sequence to determine how the area shows in the toolbar.
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A transactional database in which Infinity applications store data.
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Key Performance Indicators, or KPIs, provide at-a-glance views of an aspect of an entity for a point in time against a certain goal value.
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A KPITypeSpec describes a KPI calculation. This includes metdata about any parameters to the calculation and what type of numeric value the calculation yields.
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The portion of the ETL process in which data is placed or loaded in a data warehouse.
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The LOADSPECLOG table records every spec loaded into the system.
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Specifies the BBDW OLAP extensions specs to be processed by the deployment utility.
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Multidimensional Expresssions Script. According to Microsoft: "A Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) script defines the calculation process for a cube in Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services."
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Specifies the details for extensions the BBDW OLAP cube using MDX Scripts. An MDX Scripts Extensions spec can then be referenced in the Manifest Extensions spec to be processed by the deployment utility.
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The BBDW OLAP cube contains measure groups. In an OLAP cube, measure groups contains measures. Measure groups are analogous to Fact tables in a data warehouse.
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Specifies the details for extensions to a measure group. A Measure Groups Extensions spec can then be referenced in the Manifest Extensions spec to be processed by the deployment utility.
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A MergeTaskSpec describes a Transact-SQL stored procedure that contains the logic used to merge data from one record to another.
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MDX. According to Microsoft: "A Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) script defines the calculation process for a cube in Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services."
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Online Analytical Processing.
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In the context of this guide, extensions to a Blackbaud Data Warehouse OLAP cube. Not to be confused with OLAP PivotTable Extensions, a plugin for Microsoft Excel 2007 and Excel 2010.
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According to Microsoft, "OLE DB is set of COM-based interfaces that expose data from a variety of sources."
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Online Transaction Processing.
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A server on which an OLTP database is hosted. For example, a server which hosts an Infinity database.
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OLAP.
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OLTP.
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A PackageSpec describes a list of dependencies that point to other specs. This is a way to organize a group of specs to load into the system.
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Pages contain the majority of the visual elements found throughout an Infinity application's interface, including how actions are wired up to controls on a form.
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A PageDefinitionSpec describes a page. Pages are a component of the Infinity UI. A PageDefinitionSpec does not create any database objects. A PageDefinitionSpec organizes all of the other UI-related spec types into a user friendly presentation.
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Queries are used to group records that meet a set of criteria you define. There are two types of query: ad-hoc and smart. Ad-hoc queries can include numerous output fields and enable you to browse through a specific set of records. Smart queries perform complex calculations that would be difficult to achieve using ad-hoc queries, and are based on templates included in the program.
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A QueryViewSpec can describe a “source view” available for use in an ad-hoc query. A QueryView is typically implemented as a view (creates a database view), but it can also be implemented as a table-valued function (creates a database function).
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The namesake and creator of the Kimball methodology of dimensional modeling. Blackbaud Data Warehouse design is heavily influenced by the Kimball methodology.
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Record operations enable Infinity developers to write custom operations that can be executed on data rows.
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A RecordOperationSpec describes a record operation to perform some type of action on a given record, such as to delete a record or mark the record inactive.
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A business requirement for reporting on data.
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Reports enable us to deliver data to a user with consistent data retrieval and formatting.
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A ReportSpec describes the presence of a report to an Infinity application. Reports can be loaded onto a Report Server which has been configured to work with Infinity.
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Actions taken during Pre Processing in BBDW SSIS packages. Reset ETL actions...
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A stored procedure designed to hold statements to truncate tables and drop indexes.
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In the context of this guide, revisions are changes to a database.
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In the context of this guide, an XML document which defines database revisions to be processed by a deployment utility. There are specs for revisions to an Infinity database as well as specs for revisions to a BBDW database.
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May refer to a database schema, such as BBDW or a schema for an XML file, such as those for revisions specs.
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Search lists enable us to search for records on Infinity.
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A SearchListSpec describes a search screen in an Infinity application.
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A data model with semantic information.
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A simple data list is a query driven drop-down list box. In its most basic form, a simple data list consists of a stored procedure implementation to retrieve an value, label pair to be rendered as a drop down list box as part of a form field within the user interface.
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A SimpleDataListSpec can describe a simple data list which creates a Transact-SQL stored procedure. Simple data lists are similar to code tables. But simple data lists support parameters for filtering.
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Smart fields provide users and managers who work in an Infinity application with quick access to specific information that otherwise would take hours or days to compile.
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A SmartFieldSpec describes user-defined piece of data that is calculated and assigned to a specific record.
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A SmartQuerySpec can be used to describe the “source views” available for use in Smart Query. Smart queries are implemented as table-valued functions.
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Variation on a Star in which the tables for dimensions are normalized.
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An environment from Microsoft for managing and developing business intelligence projects and solutions.
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A SQLFunctionSpec can describe a Transact-SQL function in the database. Both scalar and table-valued functions are supported.
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A SQLStoredProcedureSpec can describe a Transact-SQL stored procedure in the database.
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SQL Server Integration Services. According to Microsoft, "Microsoft Integration Services is a platform for building enterprise-level data integration and data transformations solutions."
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A means of organizing work in SQL Server Integration Services.
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A buffer between an OLTP database and data warehouse database tables. Staging tables provide a safer location to transform data before loading it into warehouse tables.
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Structure in a Star Schema consisting of a Fact table connected to related Dimension tables.
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Database schema consisting of a set of Stars.
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A Transact-SQL procedure created through a CREATE PROCEDURE statement.
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A TableSpec can describe a database table along with any check constraints, indexes, or triggers associated with the table and fields.
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Tasks are operations performed in an Infinity application.
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A TaskSpec describes a task available in a functional area. A TaskSpec can be used for organizational and navigational purposes. Tasks are related to an existing functional area and are displayed on the Functional Area drop-down list as well as on the Area Home Page.
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Infinity developers can define SQL Server user-defined functions using the SQL Function Spec.
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The portion of an ETL process in which data is processed or transformed.
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A TranslationFunctionSpec is a variant of a SQLFunctionSpec. A TranslationFunctionSpec can describe a scalar Transact-SQL function. It can be used to translate an ID (GUID) into a human-readable value.
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A DDL statement in Transact-SQl that removes all rows from a table.
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Unified Dimensional Model. A queryable model from Microsoft built over data sources. Microsoft products that support UDM include SQL Server 2005 and Microsoft Excel.
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UDM. A queryable model from Microsoft built over data sources. Microsoft products that support Unified Dimensional Mode include SQL Server 2005 and Microsoft Excel.
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A prefix used in names of views of Blackabaud Data Warehouse tables.
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View Data Forms are created using a ViewDataFormTemplateSpec. View Data Forms are used to retrieve data in a read only fashion. These data forms are primarily used to display records in the system. View Data Forms may also be used for behind the scenes data retrieval such is the case with an Expression Data Form. A page may contain a reference to a page expression data form which is a type of View Data Form. A page expression data form is never actually displayed in the user interface. Instead it acts behind the scenes to gather important information about the displayed record and make it available to the page. This allows the page author to write regular expressions to dynamically alter what is displayed on the page.
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A ViewDataFormTemplateSpec describes a data form that can be used to display records.
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