Native Language OLAP Query Execution

Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) applications are widely used in the components of contemporary Decision Support systems. However, existing OLAP query languages are neither efficient nor intuitive for developers. In particular, Microsoft’s Multidimensional Expressions language (MDX), the de-facto standard for OLAP, is essentially a string-based extension to SQL that hinders code refactoring, limits compile-time checking, and provides no object-oriented functionality whatsoever. In this thesis, we present Native language OLAP query eXecution, or NOX, a framework that provides responsive and intuitive query facilities. To this end, we exploit the underlying OLAP conceptual data model and provide a clean integration between the server and the client language. NOX queries are object-oriented and support inheritance, refactoring and compile-time checking. Underlying this functionality is a domain specific algebra and language grammar that are used to transparently convert client side queries written in the native development language into algebraic operations understood by the server. In our prototype of NOX, JAVA is used as the native language. We provide client side libraries that define an API for programmers to use for writing OLAP queries. We investigate the design of NOX through a series of real world query examples. Specifically, we explore the following: fundamental SELECTION and PROJECTION, set operations, hierarchies, parametrization and query inheritance. We compare NOX queries to MDX and show the intuitiveness and robustness of NOX. We also investigate NOX expressiveness with respect to MDX from an algebraic point of view by demonstrating the correspondence of the two approaches in terms of SELECTION and PROJECTION operations. We believe the practical benefit of NOX-style query processing is significant. In short, it largely reduces OLAP database access to the manipulation of client side, in-memory data object

Specification and derivation of key performance indicators for business analytics: A semantic approach

Key Performance Indicators (KPI) measure the performance of an enterprise relative to its objectives thereby enabling corrective action where there are deviations. In current practice, KPIs are manually integrated within dashboards and scorecards used by decision makers. This practice entails various shortcomings. First, KPIs are not related to their business objectives and strategy. Consequently, decision makers often obtain a scattered view of the business status and business concerns. Second, while KPIs are defined by decision makers, their implementation is performed by IT specialists. This often results in discrepancies that are difficult to identify. In this paper, we propose an approach that provides decision makers with an integrated view of strategic business objectives and conceptual data warehouse KPIs. The main benefit of our proposal is that it links strategic business models to the data for monitoring and assessing them. In our proposal, KPIs are defined using a modeling language where decision makers specify KPIs using business terminology, but can also perform quick modifications and even navigate data while maintaining a strategic view. This enables monitoring and what-if analysis, thereby helping analysts to compare expectations with reported results.This research has been supported by the European Research Council (ERC) through advanced Grant 267856, titled “Lucretius: Foundations for Software Evolution” (04/2011-03/2016) and the national project GEODAS-BI (TIN2012-37493-C03-03) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO). Alejandro Maté is funded by the Generalitat Valenciana under an APOSTD Grant (APOSTD/2014/064)

Advancing Creative Visual Thinking with Constructive Function-based Modelling.

Modern education technologies are destined to reflect the realities of a modern digital age. The juxtaposition of real and synthetic (computer-generated) worlds as well as a greater emphasis on visual dimension are especially important characteristics that have to be taken into account in learning and teaching. We describe the ways in which an approach to constructive shape modelling can be used to advancing creative visual thinking in artistic and technical education. This approach assumes the use of a simple programming language or interactive software tools for creating a shape model, generating its images, and finally fabricating a real object of that model. It can be considered an educational technology suitable not only for children and students but also for researchers, artists, and designers. The corresponding modelling language and software tools are being developed within an international HyperFun Project. These tools are easy to use by students of different age, specialization and abilities, and can easily be extended and adapted for various educational purposes in different areas

Effective Strategic Programming for Java Developers

International audienceIn object programming languages, the Visitor design pattern allows separation of algorithms and data-structures. When applying this pattern to tree-like structures, programmers are always confronted with the difficulty of making their code evolve. One reason is that the code implementing the algorithm is interwound with the code implementing the traversal inside the Visitor. When implementing algorithms such as data analyses or transformations, encoding the traversal directly into the algorithm turns out to be cumbersome as this type of algorithm only focuses on a small part of the data-structure model (e.g., program optimization). Unfortunately, typed programming languages like Java do not offer simple solutions for expressing generic traversals. Rewrite-based languages like ELAN or Stratego have introduced the notion of strategies to express both generic traversal and rule application control in a declarative way. Starting from this approach, our goal was to make the notion of strategic programming available in a widely used language such as Java and thus to offer generic traversals in typed Java structures. In this paper, we present the strategy language SL that provides programming support for strategies in Java

Designing graphical interface programming languages for the end user

This thesis sets out to answer three simple questions: What tools are available for novice programmers to program GUIs? Are those tools fulfilling their role? Can anything be done to make better tools? Despite being simple questions, the answers are not so easily constructed. In answering the first question, it was necessary to examine the range of tools available and decide upon criteria which could be used to identify tools aimed specifically at the novice programmer (there being no currently agreed criteria for their identification). Having identified these tools, it was then necessary to construct a framework within which they could be sensibly compared. The answering of the second question required an investigation of what were the successful features of current tools and which features were less successful. Success or failure of given features was determined by research in both programming language design and studies of programmer satisfaction. Having discovered what should be retained and discarded from current systems, the answering of the third question required the construction of new systems through blending elements from visual languages, program editors and fourth generation languages. These final prototypes illustrate a new way of thinking about and constructing the next generation of GUI programming languages for the novice

Knowledge-Based Systems. Overview and Selected Examples

The Advanced Computer Applications (ACA) project builds on IIASA's traditional strength in the methodological foundations of operations research and applied systems analysis, and its rich experience in numerous application areas including the environment, technology and risk. The ACA group draws on this infrastructure and combines it with elements of AI and advanced information and computer technology to create expert systems that have practical applications. By emphasizing a directly understandable problem representation, based on symbolic simulation and dynamic color graphics, and the user interface as a key element of interactive decision support systems, models of complex processes are made understandable and available to non-technical users. Several completely externally-funded research and development projects in the field of model-based decision support and applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) are currently under way, e.g., "Expert Systems for Integrated Development: A Case Study of Shanxi Province, The People's Republic of China." This paper gives an overview of some of the expert systems that have been considered, compared or assessed during the course of our research, and a brief introduction to some of our related in-house research topics

Progettazione di una Business Analytics per l'implementazione del modello SCOR in SAP BW con SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer

La tesi fornisce una panoramica sul modello SCOR, i sistemi informativi aziendali ed in particolare i sistemi di datawarehouse. Viene inoltre presentato un esempio di realizzazione di una Business Analytics nell'area dell'Inventory Controlling utilizzando gli strumenti SAP, in particolare SAP R3, SAP BW e SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer