Abstract: A computer readable medium includes executable instructions to facilitate an instant messaging conversation between a first computer and a second computer on a network. A first request for a report specified by the user of the first computer is processed. A first portion of the report is returned to a first output device of the first computer and a second output device of the second computer. An interaction signal characterizing an interaction with the first portion of the report is processed to produce a second portion of the report. The second portion of the report is routed to the first output device of the first computer and the second output device of the second computer.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive a relevancy parameter. The relevancy parameter is searched in a category ensemble including a set of categories, where the category ensemble overlies a dataset. A first order of the set of categories is created based on the relevancy of the relevancy parameter to each category in the set of categories, where the relevancy is a degree of match to the relevancy parameter. A second order of the set of categories is created based on the merit of each category to partition the dataset. The first order and the second order are combined into a final order, which is returned. A measure in the category ensemble is searched based on the relevancy parameter. The measure is returned as a selected measure, where the selected measure is a codomain of a visualization depicting a portion of the dataset.

Abstract: A computer readable medium includes executable instructions to create a first export file that defines attributes and relationships associated with a first business intelligence object. A second export file that characterizes a second business intelligence object associated with the first business intelligence object is formed. The first export file and the second export file are combined into a composite export entity. The composite export entity is distributed.

Abstract: A relational database access system and method provides a new data representation and a query technique which allows information system end users to access (query) relational databases without knowing the relational structure or the structure query language (SQL). The present invention utilizes semantically dynamic objects.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to extract data model object information and report data values from data model objects in at least one semantic abstraction to define indexed fields. A search query is received. The search query is applied against the indexed fields to define matching data model objects and matching report data values. A proposed abstract query with at least one matching data model object and a corresponding semantic abstraction is generated.

Abstract: A method of constructing a data transformation block includes selecting a first discrete logic visual icon and a second discrete logic visual icon from a logic repository. A combination valid state is established when the first discrete logic visual icon can be combined with the second discrete logic visual icon. The first discrete logic visual icon and the second discrete logic visual icon are combined in response to the combination valid state to form a data transformation block. The data transformation block has a corresponding functional language source code description of the logical operations to be performed by the data transformation block. The data transformation block processes data to form transformed data. The data transformation block may be stored in the logic repository so that others can access it.

Abstract: A computer readable medium includes executable instructions to allow the designation of a connector component provided within a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The selection of a graphic component within the GUI is supported. The connector component is associated with the graphic component. The connector component is associated with a data source. An interactive control panel incorporating the connector component and the graphic component is generated. The interactive control panel presents data from the data source.

Abstract: A computer readable medium includes executable instructions to define an individual publication schema for each heterogeneous source of a set of heterogeneous sources. Each individual publication schema specifies mapping rules between data from a heterogeneous source and a non-permanent structured instance of data. A non-permanent structured instance of data as defined by an individual publication schema is generated. An integration schema defining a set of integration rules for combining data from each non-permanent structured instance of data as defined by individual publication schema is established. A target non-permanent structured instance of data to include data from the plurality of heterogeneous sources based on at least one integration schema is formed.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to define an abstraction layer disposed between a business intelligence application and a set of visualization libraries. The abstraction layer provides an application programmer interface for the business intelligence application to the set of visualization libraries. A visualization settings model is defined within the abstraction layer. The visualization settings model describes a visualization that can be rendered by a visualization library in the of visualization libraries.

Abstract: The invention includes a computer readable storage medium with executable instructions to run a segment of code and identify associated variables. The segment of code is stopped at a predetermined breakpoint and state values that correspond to the associated variables are identified. A variable is selected from the associated variables via a Graphical User Interface, where the selected variable has a variable state. The variable state is saved to a data store via the Graphical User Interface.

Abstract: A method of processing licensing keys includes specifying a program defining a set of executable instructions where different subsets of executable instructions define different products. A set of licensing keys are constructed. Each licensing key has a fixed number of symbols, where each symbol includes multiple bits. At least one symbol is configured to be mapped to at least two fields and at least one field is configured to be mapped to at least two symbols. Each field specifies a feature of a product defined by a subset of executable instructions of the program. The program and a first license key are distributed to a first end user, while the program and a second license key are distributed to a second end user. The first license key is processed to define features of a first product. The second license key is processed to define features of a second product.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to define a first information object, where the first information object is operative to perform a first function when associated with a first system, and a second function when associated with a second system. A set of properties for the first information object is defined. The set of properties are divided into a first set of properties for when the first information object is in the first system, and a second set of properties when the first information object is in the second system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes designating selected spreadsheet cells within a spreadsheet document. Spreadsheet function source code characterizing the functionality associated with the selected spreadsheet cells is generated. The spreadsheet function source code is incorporated into a source code application.

Abstract: The invention includes a computer readable medium with executable instructions to generate a report. The executable instructions include executable instructions to supply a prompt group corresponding to a cascading prompt. A list of values is accessed to identify values to be supplied to the prompt group. Prompt presentation values are selected in accordance with access restrictions for a specified user. Parameters are selected based upon the prompt presentation values. A report is then generated based upon the parameters. Thus, the specified user receives a personalized report in accordance with the access restrictions.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a computer-implemented method for data cleansing using rule based formatting. The method includes tokenizing and parsing a first input data and a second input data. The method further includes including a first token in a first output data if a first formatting rule component in a formatting rule is a first valid index to said first tokenized input data. The method further includes including a second token in a second output data if said first formatting rule component in the formatting rule is a second valid index to said second tokenized input data. The method further includes formatting said first output data and said second output data according to the formatting rule.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to supply, in an editor mode, a first set of data modeling objects in a document. A user request to enter a print preview mode is accepted. The print preview mode is entered while the editor mode remains active. The document is applied to a page layout with a set of pages. A set of pages to print are specified, where individual pages in the set of pages to print contain a subset of data modeling objects in the first set of data modeling objects.

Abstract: A computer readable medium stores executable instructions to specify a report with a report field for displaying information. An assessment of information that will be potentially displayed in the report field is performed. The report field is sized in accordance with the assessment.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive a selection of two or more data source tables from one or more data sources, determine a data source table that defines keys, and receive mapping information that defines one or more column relationships between the data source table and a second data source table. Relationship structures between the data source tables are analyzed. The data source tables and the relationship structures are graphically represented in a sequential order where the order in which the data source tables are depicted is based on a depth of a relationship between the data source table that defines keys and a second data source table.

Abstract: A computer readable medium comprises executable instructions to form a list of parameters for a report. The list of parameters is compared to existing lists of parameters. A selected list of parameters is designated. A report is generated with the selected list of parameters.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive context information specifying dimensional criteria defining a first value in a first data source. A context transfer to a second value in a second data source is generated based upon the dimensional criteria. The context transfer is performed in accordance with a translation model with a translation map for mapping between multiple data sources. The second value is supplied.