RODIN Data Asset Management
Encyclopedia
RODIN Data Asset Management (RODIN) is a software application that facilitates the development and deployment of data warehouse
and data mart
environments on the IBM System i
platform (previously known as iSeries and AS/400). Named after the French sculptor
, RODIN is developed by an Australian software company, Coglin Mill, and is distributed worldwide.
The latest GA version, Release 6.03 was delivered in June 2010.
Release 6.04 will be made available on a managed availability basis in October, 2010
, and the client, which runs under Microsoft Windows
is a Java
application. The server code provides support for the development client, and also provides the run-time deployment environment.
to create data warehouse and/or data mart tables and indexes. Column (data element) and table (data set) definitions may be defined manually, or reverse engineered from existing tables. Data elements, once defined may be reused any number of times in different tables without needing to redefine their attributes. The available data elements effectively become a data dictionary, which both simplifies further development and ensures consistency. The user works in a GUI
based editor to design data sets, simply dragging and dropping data element definitions onto a canvas to create a table. Once created, tables may be changed as needed, in which case RODIN will automatically retain and convert any data in the table. Any number of indexes or views may be defined over the data set tables.
processes to load the data warehouse and data mart tables. Data sources for ETL may be local DB2 tables, remote DB2 tables (any platform), Microsoft SQL Server
, Microsoft Access
, Oracle
, Informix
, MySql
or Sybase
tables, as well as flat files. A single ETL process may target one or many data set tables, supporting automatic insert or update of existing rows as applicable. Extensive transformation capabilities and a business rule editor provide support for most requirements. User exits are also supported for further extensibility. Data errors may be detected automatically (failed joins, invalid dates etc) or based on user-defined business rules. Rejected data is placed in a suspense table and an error report is generated. Audit trails, including row counts, hash totals and performance criteria are also generated automatically.
servers may be defined to capture inserts, updates and deletes from journals images (both local and remote journals). The capture is performed in real-time, with a separate apply step available to present the captured data into the ETL process.
repository. Tables, indexes and ETL processes are generated from the metadata layer. Unlimited free-form text may be entered at any level, allowing developers to fully document all entities and processes. Cross-reference information (e.g. where used) and impact analysis tools are also provided. The metadata may be accessed via a browser or exported in XMI format to other compliant tools.
Data warehouse
In computing, a data warehouse is a database used for reporting and analysis. The data stored in the warehouse is uploaded from the operational systems. The data may pass through an operational data store for additional operations before it is used in the DW for reporting.A data warehouse...
and data mart
Data mart
A data mart is the access layer of the data warehouse environment that is used to get data out to the users. The data mart is a subset of the data warehouse which is usually oriented to a specific business line or team.- Terminology :...
environments on the IBM System i
IBM System i
The IBM System i is IBM's previous generation of midrange computer systems for IBM i users, and was subsequently replaced by the IBM Power Systems in April 2008....
platform (previously known as iSeries and AS/400). Named after the French sculptor
Auguste Rodin
François-Auguste-René Rodin , known as Auguste Rodin , was a French sculptor. Although Rodin is generally considered the progenitor of modern sculpture, he did not set out to rebel against the past...
, RODIN is developed by an Australian software company, Coglin Mill, and is distributed worldwide.
History
RODIN Release 1 was delivered in 1996 as the first available data warehouse tool for the AS/400 platform.The latest GA version, Release 6.03 was delivered in June 2010.
Release 6.04 will be made available on a managed availability basis in October, 2010
Architecture
RODIN is a client–server application. The server component runs natively on IBM System iIBM System i
The IBM System i is IBM's previous generation of midrange computer systems for IBM i users, and was subsequently replaced by the IBM Power Systems in April 2008....
, and the client, which runs under Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
is a Java
Java (programming language)
Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
application. The server code provides support for the development client, and also provides the run-time deployment environment.
Manage Tables and Indexes
RODIN removes the user from the need to use DDS or DDLData Definition Language
A data definition language or data description language is a syntax similar to a computer programming language for defining data structures, especially database schemas.-History:...
to create data warehouse and/or data mart tables and indexes. Column (data element) and table (data set) definitions may be defined manually, or reverse engineered from existing tables. Data elements, once defined may be reused any number of times in different tables without needing to redefine their attributes. The available data elements effectively become a data dictionary, which both simplifies further development and ensures consistency. The user works in a GUI
Gui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
based editor to design data sets, simply dragging and dropping data element definitions onto a canvas to create a table. Once created, tables may be changed as needed, in which case RODIN will automatically retain and convert any data in the table. Any number of indexes or views may be defined over the data set tables.
ETL (Extract, Transform and Load)
RODIN uses a visual editor to design ETLExtract, transform, load
Extract, transform and load is a process in database usage and especially in data warehousing that involves:* Extracting data from outside sources* Transforming it to fit operational needs...
processes to load the data warehouse and data mart tables. Data sources for ETL may be local DB2 tables, remote DB2 tables (any platform), Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database server, developed by Microsoft: It is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications, be it those on the same computer or those running on another computer across a network...
, Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Office Access, previously known as Microsoft Access, is a relational database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. It is a member of the Microsoft Office suite of...
, Oracle
Oracle Database
The Oracle Database is an object-relational database management system produced and marketed by Oracle Corporation....
, Informix
Informix
IBM Informix is a family of relational database management system developed by IBM. It is positioned as IBM's flagship data server for online transaction processing as well as integrated solutions...
, MySql
MySQL
MySQL officially, but also commonly "My Sequel") is a relational database management system that runs as a server providing multi-user access to a number of databases. It is named after developer Michael Widenius' daughter, My...
or Sybase
Sybase
Sybase, an SAP company, is an enterprise software and services company offering software to manage, analyze, and mobilize information, using relational databases, analytics and data warehousing solutions and mobile applications development platforms....
tables, as well as flat files. A single ETL process may target one or many data set tables, supporting automatic insert or update of existing rows as applicable. Extensive transformation capabilities and a business rule editor provide support for most requirements. User exits are also supported for further extensibility. Data errors may be detected automatically (failed joins, invalid dates etc) or based on user-defined business rules. Rejected data is placed in a suspense table and an error report is generated. Audit trails, including row counts, hash totals and performance criteria are also generated automatically.
Change Data Capture
Change Data CaptureChange data capture
In databases, change data capture is a set of software design patterns used to determine the data that has changed so that action can be taken using the changed data...
servers may be defined to capture inserts, updates and deletes from journals images (both local and remote journals). The capture is performed in real-time, with a separate apply step available to present the captured data into the ETL process.
Metadata
RODIN functionality is centered around a MetadataMetadata
The term metadata is an ambiguous term which is used for two fundamentally different concepts . Although the expression "data about data" is often used, it does not apply to both in the same way. Structural metadata, the design and specification of data structures, cannot be about data, because at...
repository. Tables, indexes and ETL processes are generated from the metadata layer. Unlimited free-form text may be entered at any level, allowing developers to fully document all entities and processes. Cross-reference information (e.g. where used) and impact analysis tools are also provided. The metadata may be accessed via a browser or exported in XMI format to other compliant tools.