Chapter 9. Reference DataSource

Table of Contents

Overview
Reference DataSource Wizard
Working with Reference DataSource
Wrapping an Excel DataSource
Wrapping a Composite DataSource

Overview

The Reference data source acts as a reference to another data source and supplies parameters to it. In other words, a Reference DataSource is a proxy data source with preset parameter values.

The Reference DataSource points to a database and "personalizes" it for each user environment, for example supplying different queries or user id and password. The difference between a Reference DataSources and Dynamic parameters, is that the user doesn't need to see any UI, or explicitly enter any values each time the DataSource is loaded. The data source designer has done all the work.

A Reference DataSource can be used to wrap any kind of DataSource (including a Composite or even another Reference DataSource) to fix certain parameters without the need for a complex Composite + Properties + Parameter Processor combination.

Reference DataSource Wizard

The Reference DataSource Wizard is shown in Figure 9.1, “Reference DataSource Wizard”.

Figure 9.1. Reference DataSource Wizard

Reference DataSource Wizard

Name: Enter a unique name for the Reference DataSource.

DataSource: Select the DataSource for which the parameter values need to be set.

Click on Extract Parameters seen in Figure 9.2, “Reference DataSource Wizard Page Two” to extract parameters from the datasource or define parameters explicitly using buttons on the left. Click on End to end the creation process.

Figure 9.2. Reference DataSource Wizard Page Two

Reference DataSource Wizard Page Two