Abstract: An abstract query is received for querying data sources for a combined hierarchical dimension having at least one hierarchy. The abstract query is mapped into data source specific queries by generating context expressions according to the at least one hierarchy. The data source specific queries are executed in an order according to the at least one hierarchy to produce value results for the combined hierarchical dimension.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes forming column range-bands, generating row range-bands, and establishing global range-bands in conjunction with the column range-bands and the row range-bands.

Abstract: A computer readable medium stores executable instructions to receive a Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) query. The MDX query is recursively rationalized to form a rationalized query. The rationalized query is applied to a multidimensional data source to produce query results. The query results are returned.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium is configured to receive a report processing request at a hierarchical report processor. The hierarchical report processor includes a parent process and at least one child process executing on a single processing unit, and is configured to process the report processing request as a task on the single processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus to identify patterns in a multi-dimensional database is described. In particular, a computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner is provided. The computer-readable medium comprises instructions to automatically identify a plurality of patterns associated with data comprising the multi-dimensional database and instructions to indicate the plurality of patterns that are identified. Exemplary patterns that can be identified include an outlier pattern, a step pattern, a random pattern, a trend pattern, and a periodic pattern.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to invoke a rapid application development graphical user interface to define fields associated with a set of objects. The creation of new objects derived from the set of objects is facilitated using the rapid application development graphical user interface to select existing fields of the set of objects and define new object fields. Tabs are associated with the new objects. A set of tabs is selected to create a new application.

Abstract: A report publication system includes a first set of report management servers defining a first cluster supporting a common report management architecture. A first set of client machines operate in accordance with the common report management architecture. The first client machines are configured to access the first cluster. A second set of report management servers defines a second cluster supporting the common report management architecture. A second set of client machines operate in accordance with the common report management architecture. The second client machines are configured to access the second cluster. A first client machine of the first set of client machines invokes a report on the first cluster to form a published report with a designated destination address. The published report is exchanged between the first cluster and the second cluster via the Internet in accordance with the destination address.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive hierarchical data. A schema for the hierarchical data is also received. An entity relationship model for the hierarchical data is generated. A semantic abstraction associated with the entity relationship model is defined. An abstract term representing an underlying data element within the hierarchical data represented by the semantic abstraction is also defined.

Abstract: A Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) having any arbitrary structure is translated into a multi-dimensional data model suitable for performing OLAP operations upon. If a relational table defining the relational model includes any tables with cardinality of 1,1 or 0,1, the tables are merged into a single table. If the relational table is not normalized, then normalization is performed and a relationship between the original table and the normalized table is created. If the relational table is normalized, but not by dependence between columns, such as in the dimension table in a snowflake schema, the normalization process is performed using the foreign key in order to generate the normalized table. Once the normalized table is generated, OLAP measures are derived from the normalized relational table by an automated method.

Abstract: A computer readable medium is configured to receive an identification of a plurality of data records, where each data record corresponds to one of a plurality of data record schemas represented in COBOL, and each data record schema corresponds to one of a plurality of standardized data record schemas. The computer readable medium is further configured to specify one of the plurality of standardized data record schemas as a selected standardized data record schema, and to process the plurality of data records based on the selected standardized data record schema.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to associate two or more data sets with two or more vertices in a Venn graph. An intersection of the two or more data sets is associated with a vertex in the Venn graph. A plurality of outliers is associated between the two or more data sets and the intersection of the two or more data sets with a plurality of vertices disposed between the two or more vertices and the vertex in the Venn graph.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium includes executable instructions to analyze a repository of individual reports to generate a consolidated data set, where the consolidated data set includes data from different individual reports. The consolidated data set is augmented with metadata. The consolidated data set and metadata are inserted within an electronic document.

Abstract: A computer readable medium stores computer executable instructions to receive a collection of composite objects. An aggregate dataset that includes a portion of the contents of object instances in the collection of objects is created. The aggregate dataset is passed to a report server. A report that includes data from the aggregate dataset is accepted.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to retrieve a dataset from a data source, where the dataset includes a first set of categories. A data structure that represents the dataset is built. A first set of merit values for the first set of categories is calculated. The first set of categories is ordered based on a criterion. The first set of categories is returned.

Abstract: A computer readable medium with executable instructions, includes instructions to process metadata associated with a set of report templates. A subset of report templates is selected from the set of report templates using the metadata. The subset of report templates maximizes a reporting objective subject to a selection rule as specified by the metadata. The subset of report templates is returned.

Abstract: An analytical reporting functionality provides full-fledged dynamic reporting capabilities on top of a multidimensional data model. A GUI facilitates replicating the same reporting data for various elements of a dimension. Additionally, direct interaction with the report to perform OLAP-style is enabled.