About SAP Business Objects Data Sources
SAP Business Objects is one of the business intelligence connections provided by Toad. When you create a connection to Business Objects, you are connecting to the Query as a Web Service (QaaWS) component. In the QaaWS component, the exposed data source objects are called Queries.
Read this topic to learn how Toad maps Business Objects Queries and to review some considerations and limitations before working with Business Objects data sources.
To learn how to create a new Business Objects connection, see Create SAP Business Objects Connections.
Toad Automatically Maps Object Metadata
When you create a new connection to a Business Intelligence or NoSQL data source, Toad automatically maps the data source objects. Toad gathers metadata from these objects which is cached (in a hidden table) and retained between sessions for one week. After one week, all objects are automatically refreshed.
During this initial mapping process, Toad maps only metadata. The actual data in each column is mapped as needed, such as when you execute a query.
Manually refresh object metadata
You can manually refresh object metadata at any time. In the Object Explorer, right-click an object and select Refresh All.
Default Parameter Values
You may need to specify a default parameter value for a column before you can query it.
To specify a default parameter value
- In the Object Explorer, select a Query and click
.
- In the Table Column Parameters dialog, enter a default value for the column parameter and click Execute.
Considerations with Business Objects Connections
The following considerations apply when working with Business Objects data sources.
| Consideration | Description |
|---|---|
| Object Explorer | The Object Explorer displays the QaaWS Queries that were mapped by Toad, either when the connection was initially created or when the queries were refreshed. |
| Parameterized columns | For tables (Queries) with parameterized columns, you must specify a default value for the column before you can execute a query against that table. |
| Table representation in Query Builder | The representative tables you see in Query Builder do have exposed keys. You can join tables, but you must create the relationship in the Query Builder diagram pane. |
| Max character limit | Toad maps up to 255 characters per VARCHAR data field. |
| Database Diagram | You can drag a table (Query) to the Database Diagram to view it. But no relationship information or related tables are displayed automatically. You can, however, add related tables (Queries) and draw connections to represent relationships. |
| Delay when executing query | Business Objects columns and data are mapped as needed. Because of this, you may experience a delay when attempting to view columns and data or when executing a query. |
| Read-only | Business Objects connections are read-only. You cannot create QaaWS Queries using Toad. You cannot import data into a Business Objects data source from Toad. |