Ironside Group
  • Home
  • About
  • Ascent Solutions
  • Capabilities
  • Info & Events
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Request a Meeting
Business Analytics, Technology Spotlight

Ironside Tech Tip: Change Transformer File and Server Locations Using an MDL Script

writing script transformer automation concept
March 31, 2014/by Ursula Woodruff-Harris

When creating multidimensional models with IBM Cognos Transformer, many different types of data sources can be utilized such as reports, packages, Excel, and comma delimited files to design the model. Also various work environments may be used such as TEST, DEV, and PROD all of which have different server locations.

This article will discuss how users can copy a model to another environment and change file/deployment locations without physically typing in the information by using model definition language( MDL). This language is used to create, update, and manipulate Transformer models outside of the interface. The MDL file is text based and contains verbs, objects, and options used to alter models. Examples of verbs are CubeAdd, PopulateModel, and PowerCube delete.

The Great Outdoors Sales.mdl from the IBM Cognos Transformer 10.2.1 samples will be used for this simple demonstration with slight modifications. In order to change the model, the following items will be manipulated:

1. Great Outdoors Sales.mdl Transformer Model

2. Sales_reg.csv data source

3. PowerCube location

4. Deployment location

Open the PROD model and view current locations.

1. Open the Great Outdoors Sales.mdl file. Under Data Sources, open the properties of the Sales Region(csv) file. Note the file is in the PROD location. Later, it will be changed to reflect the DEV location. Close the dialog box.

data source name

2. Open the properties for The Sample Outdoors Co. powercube.  Note its PROD location.

powercube name

3. Click the Deployment tab. For this example, after the cube builds, it is deployed to the production server location.

deployment location

4. Click OK to close the dialog box. As a developer, you have a need to test this model with a different Sales Reg.csv file. This test will be performed in the DEV environment. Instead of typing in this information, you can invoke an mdl script to do this for you.

Ensure DEV files are in the right location.

1. Copy the PROD model as is to the DEV location. Ensure your version of a sales_reg.csv file is in the proper DEV folder . In the example below, the .csv file is in the ‘Datasources’ folder and the copied model is in the Models folder.

transformer models folder

Create an MDL script.

1. Open a text editor such as NOTEPAD and type the following:

MDL script

2. Save the file as ChangeModelDev.mdl (note the extension is .mdl , not .txt . Since this is an .mdl file, it can be opened in Transformer).

Test the MDL Script

There are many ways in which you can test the script like put it in a .bat file: however, for our purposes you will do it the quick way.

1. Open the ChangeModelDev.mdl file in Transformer. If you typed the code correctly the model will open successfully. If there are errors in your code, the model will not open and you will have to find and correct them.

Note that the ChangeModelDev.mdl file is just a copy of the Great Outdoors Sales.mdl.

dimension map

2. Open the properties for the Sales reg (csv), powercube, and the deployment locations. The mdl file just created a copy of the Great Outdoors Sales.mdl prod model with the requested property changes. See the example below.

local data file 3. Close the model and don’t save.

View changes in the DEV version of the Great Outdoors Sales.mdl File

1. Open the Great Outdoors Sales.mdl file that was copied to the DEV environment.

2. View the properties for the .csv file, powercube, and deployment locations. By just opening the ChangeModelDev.mdl in Transformer, the locations in this model were changed automatically to the DEV locations.

sales region csv

transformer powercube path before

new scripted location

Again, this is just a simple example.  For more information on how to use model definition language, refer to the Transformer MDL Reference guide at http://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/data/cognos/documentation/docs/en/7.5.0/pp_trns_mdl.pdf.

Ironside has a wealth of experience with both dimensional and relational data sources and metadata modeling practices in IBM Cognos BI. Check out our course catalog if you’d like to learn more.

Tags: Business Intelligence, cognos transformer, Cubes, Dimensional Modeling, Dimensional Reporting, IBM, IBM Cognos, MDL, MDL Scripting, Metadata, Powercubes
https://www.ironsidegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Writing-Script-Resized.jpg 350 750 Ursula Woodruff-Harris https://www.ironsidegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/logo-with-words.png Ursula Woodruff-Harris2014-03-31 14:04:382019-01-22 11:41:34Ironside Tech Tip: Change Transformer File and Server Locations Using an MDL Script

See 3 reasons why AWS analytics are well within your reach.

Recent Posts

  • Why outsourcing can make all the difference when it comes to successful data and analytics transformation
  • What’s keeping mid-market companies from leveraging advanced analytics and AI in 2023?
  • Learn Why So Many Companies Are Turning to
    a Hub-and-Spoke Data Model
  • Data governance presents big challenges in the mid-market
  • Mid-market Leaders Report Back from the Road

Categories

  • Awards & Recognition
  • Business Analytics
  • Data Management
  • Data Science
  • Featured
  • Technology Spotlight
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Ironside Follow

We make the world of business smarter. A trusted partner who turns data into valuable insights that drive positive business outcomes #Data #Analytics #AI #Cloud

IronsideGroup

Today's #Take30 #tbt dives into a use-case driven discussion of how #advancedanalytics integrates data from multiple sources to drive change in the eight areas of the #HigherEducation lifecycle. Check out the webinar with our partner @ibm here: https://irns.de/3Zdtdcz

Reply on Twitter 1639041567372775424 Retweet on Twitter 1639041567372775424 Like on Twitter 1639041567372775424 Twitter 1639041567372775424
Retweet on Twitter Ironside Retweeted

▶️ WATCH | Panelists at the CDO Midwest Summit 2022, share insights on accelerating innovation and using data and analytics as business drivers.
https://bit.ly/3IV0Vxm

@Rackspace
@BelcanGlobal
@SVB_UK
@MedOneInc
@IronsideGroup

✔️Check out our 2023 events here:

Reply on Twitter 1633195811294298112 Retweet on Twitter 1633195811294298112 1 Like on Twitter 1633195811294298112 Twitter 1633195811294298112

For today's #Take30 #TBT, we're revisiting our S.A.L.T. demo, exploring the powerful combination of #Snowflake, #Alteryx, & #Tableau and how it can be used to implement a #ModernAnalyticsFramework. Check it out here: https://irns.de/3leq2Dv

Reply on Twitter 1636480297045819396 Retweet on Twitter 1636480297045819396 Like on Twitter 1636480297045819396 Twitter 1636480297045819396

For today's #Take30 #tbt, we revisit our session on how the #Banking industry can utilize #advancedanalytics to help their business. Check out this clip to see the use cases our expert cover, and click the link for the full session! #DataScience https://irns.de/3L82JFS

Reply on Twitter 1633968390128664588 Retweet on Twitter 1633968390128664588 Like on Twitter 1633968390128664588 Twitter 1633968390128664588

We are happy to announce a new member of our #DataScience practice, Josh Angelchik. Bringing his experience from both the #consulting and #product sides at companies of all sizes, Josh can optimize existing data workflows and bring product ideas to life from scratch.

Reply on Twitter 1626644704887509005 Retweet on Twitter 1626644704887509005 Like on Twitter 1626644704887509005 Twitter 1626644704887509005

Ironside helps companies translate business goals and challenges into technology solutions that enable insightful analysis, data-driven decision making and continued success. We help you structure, integrate and augment your data, while transforming your analytic environment and improving governance.

LINKS

  • Home
  • About
  • Ascent Solutions
  • Capabilities
  • Info & Events
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Contact

GET IN TOUCH

781-860-8840

GetInsights@IronsideGroup.com

Corporate Mailing Address
177 Huntington Ave Ste. 1703
PMB 89714
Boston, Massachusetts 02115-3153

131 Hartwell Ave
Lexington, MA 02421

Regional offices in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Austin, and Cincinnati

>>Managed Services Support

  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • mail
Also of Interest
  • Ironside Tech Tip: Using Macros in...
  • Ironside Tech Tip: Using CSS Classes to...
  • Ironside Tech Tip: Standardizing Prompt...
© 1999-2022 Ironside Group. All Rights Reserved.
Why Migrate from IBM Cognos Planning to TM1?bird migration cognos planning to tm1 conceptsand blending salesforce data integration conceptIronside Tech Tip: Integrate Salesforce.com with IBM Cognos
Scroll to top
Send this to a friend