Toad Data Point 5.5 - User Guide

Save Data to Local Storage

The Local Storage feature allows you to store data locally in an embedded database. You can store data as a table or as a snapshot. Store data in existing objects or create new objects and databases.

Note: This feature is available in the Toad Data Point Professional Edition only.

Snapshots

A snapshot contains data from a table, a view, or the results of a query, retrieved at a specific point in time. Snapshots can then be refreshed to reflect the current data from the source database object/objects. Upon refresh, the original actions used to create the snapshot are re-executed on the current data from the source database object or objects. Local Storage snapshots are a convenient way to retrieve current data from a source and reapply a set of predefined actions—all with one click.

Advanced Analytics

If you plan to analyze data using Toad's Advanced Analytics functions, you must first store that data in Local Storage. See Advanced Analytics for more information.

To save data to Local Storage

1. Do one of the following:

   • To save a data grid, right-click the grid and select Send To | Local Storage.
   • To save a table or view, right-click the table/view in Object Explorer and select Local Storage.
   • To save transformed data, in the Transform and Cleanse window click Local Storage in the Wizard bar.

2. You can choose to store data in a single existing table, a single new table, or a snapshot. Specify database, table, and column options. Review the following for additional information:

   A snapshot	Description
   Database	Select an existing database, or create a new database by entering a name. If this is the first time you have accessed Local Storage, you must first create a new database by entering a name. Note: A database name cannot include an underscore (_) as the first character.
   Snapshot	Enter a custom name for the snapshot.
   PK	Click in a cell under PK to include a column in the primary key. A key icon appears to the left of the column selected for inclusion in the primary key.
   Type	Allows you to change the column's data type and field length (if applicable). Click within the text box and select from a drop-down list, or enter a valid data type and length.
   A single existing table	Description
   Database	Select a database.
   Table	Select a table.
   Source field	Use this to map columns in the source data to columns in the existing table. Select a source column on the left to map to the target column listed on the right. Map by position—Select to initially map source columns to target columns by matching their positions in the table. Map by name—Select to initially map source columns to target columns by matching their names.
   A single new table	Description
   Database	Select an existing database, or create a new database by entering a name. If this is the first time you have accessed Local Storage, you must first create a new database by entering a name. Note: A database name cannot include an underscore (_) as the first character.
   Table	Enter a name for the table.
   PK	Click in a cell under PK to include a column in the primary key. A key icon appears to the left of the column selected for inclusion in the primary key.
   Type	Allows you to change the column's data type and field length (if applicable). Click within the text box and select from a drop-down list, or enter a valid data type and length.

To refresh a snapshot in Local Storage

1. In the Object Explorer, right-click on the Local Storage snapshot you want to refresh and select Operations | Refresh Snapshot, or select the snapshot and click .

2. The Local Storage snapshot is refreshed to reflect the current data in the source database object.

   • If the snapshot in Local Storage was created from transformed and cleansed data, it is recreated by reapplying the same transform and cleanse rules to the current data in the source database object.
   • If the source table no longer exists, an error message displays, the operation is canceled, and no data is lost.

To view snapshot origination details

1. Open the snapshot in the Database Explorer (right-click the snapshot and select View Details).
2. Select the Information tab to view how the snapshot originated, including the SQL statement for the query (if there was one) or the parameters of the import action (if the snapshot was created using the Import Wizard).

Local Storage Data Hub Location and Name

From time to time you may need to find the Local Storage data hub folder, for example to rename it when troubleshooting. The best way to view the location of your Local Storage is to select Tools | Options | Local Storage. The path and the folder name are listed.

The name of your Local Storage data hub folder depends on whether you upgraded from a previous release or installed Toad Data Point for the first time.

• If you upgraded to Toad Data Point 3.2 from a previous release, the Local Storage folder retains the former product name: Toad for Data Analysts Data Hub.
• If you installed Toad Data Point for the first time, your Local Storage folder uses the new product name: Toad Data Point Data Hub.

Notes:

• Local Storage databases and database objects persist between versions (releases) of Toad Data Point.
• The Local Storage database is stored in the user's local Application Data directory. To change the location of the Local Storage directory, select Tools | Options | Local Storage and enter the path to the new directory.
• If you want to run Toad's Advanced Analytics functions on data, you must add the data to Local Storage. Toad's Advanced Analytics functions are in-database analytics and are only available for use with a Local Storage connection. See Advanced Analytics for more information.
• If you saved data to Local Storage using Toad for Data Analysts 3.1 or earlier (and the table is capable of being refreshed), this table now displays as a snapshot in Toad Data Point 3.2 or later.
• You can automate the task of sending data to Local Storage by using the Execute Script activity or the Clean Data activity in Automation. See Use Database Automation Activities for more information.
• You can automate the task of refreshing a snapshot by using the Refresh Snapshot activity in Automation. See Use Database Automation Activities for more information.