This document discusses an MS-SQL Server date/time framework template universe and provides examples of how to use it. It outlines 3 examples - using a list of values filter, date prompt, and timestamp objects with a between operator. It then describes the steps to implement the framework in an existing universe, including copying over the derived table and class, creating filter prompts, and recreating the list of values. The document encourages checking the author's blog for more information on using the framework.

1. The Ultimate Generic date/time framework
Quick start and Setup for MS-SQL Server
Gino Scheppers
16/02/2012
06/03/12

2. How to test the MS-SQL Server template universe?
 Open the MS-SQL template universe in
designer (3.1 or higher)
 Change your connection to a valid MS-SQL
Server database
 Start playing with the objects and predefined
filters in the [Generic Timestamp Table]-class.
 The objects in this class are based on fields
from the derived table called:
GenericTimestampTable

3. First example (LOV Filter)
Drag & drop some result objects and the predefined LOV example into the
query panel, and run the query

4. First example – Run the above query

5. Second example
Drag & drop some result objects and the predefined Date (Timestamp-type)
Prompt Example, run the query

6. Second example – Run the above query

7. Third example
With the objects from the Miscellaneous (Timestamp Objects)-class
Use the between operator in combination with a [Begin Range] and [End
Range] object

8. Third example – Result
Based on current date - 17/02/2012, this is the result.

9. Summary
 The above three examples illustrates the ease
of use of the date/time framework, and the
benefits you get after implementing the
framework in your own MS-SQL universes.
 Of course, the GenericTimestampTable-
derived table is not needed in your own
universes. I only use it for demo purpose. It’s
the fastest way to show you the tremendous
possibilities without struggling with the setup
first.

10. Steps to change a existing universe (summarized)
s Open the MS-SQL-template-universe and change
the connection to a valid MS-SQL database.
s Open your target universe
s Copy and past the derived table with name
‘GenericTimestampDimension’ to the target
universe
s Copy/Past the ‘Miscellaneous (Timestamp Objects)’
class from the template universe to the target
universe.
s Create a filter-prompt object for every date/time
object where an ad-hoc ‘List of values’ is needed.
(check the filter-example in the Generic Date table
class)
s Recreate (if necessary) the LOV of the
GenericDateDimension object (see next slide)

11. Steps 6 (Very important, don’t forget, this step!)
 recreate the LOV with following objects
and parameters.

12. Also need a Super Generic Date-Dimension table?
 Steps:
 Copy/paste the derived table
(GenericTimestampTable) to
your target universe
 Copy the ‘Generic
Timestamp’-class to your
target universe
 Disable the LOV’s the
objects

13. Final step
1. Drag & drop the
Learn the end-user (in 5 steps)
date/time object you want the ‘ultimate between-trick’
to query in the Query 5
Filters panel
2. Select a between
condition
3. Select a [Begin Range]
object from the 3
Miscellaneous
(Timestamp objects) class
4. Select a [End Range]
object from the 1
2
Miscellaneous 4
(Timestamp objects) class
5. Run the query.

14. That’s all folks
And the good news, lot’s of good
stuff can be found on my
Wordpress-Blog
Can you find 10 good reasons why
to use the Ultimate Generic
Date/Time framworke?
No, check my Blog-post.
It’s free! But a small donation to my PayPal account
gino.scheppers@telenet.be is welcome…