Developing and testing I use the windows command prompt quite a bit.
Often during testing my binaries and executables build folder is down a path off of the base root about five or more directories deep. In the command prompt I have to run the common commands to CD (change directory), etc. before I land on the directory where I can then call my test programs. The main problem with that is that my command prompt window often wraps around or just looks so busy that it irritates me.
I recently ran into a really cool solution that allows you to quickly shorten the command prompt entry line using the SUBST function. It basically take a couple of parameters and maps an open drive letter for you based on the directory path that you supply. The below is an example:
Simply take the above example’s syntax and modify it for your next testing episode. The quotes around the directory path do not always need to be there, however, if you have a folder in that path that contains a space you will definitely need to use the double-quotes.
In the above example simply type SUBST and for the two parameters enter an open drive letter and then the directory path you wish to use. Hit enter.
The cmd prompt will return cleanly.
Type R: and hit the return key.
Your prompt should return with the R:\ drive prompt and you can run your code from there.
If you haven’t explored the full depth of OBIEE and all of its majestic glory then you may have not yet seen the 10.1.3.4 sample RPD and web catalog which can integrate with your RPD to track user access statistics, longest running queries, etc. By the way Oracle aptly named this Usage Tracking. This is a fantastic tool and below I have put together the web’s first video tutorial on how to install and configure the basics of the Usage Tracking RPD. In subsequent posts I look to explore Usage Tracking in more detail as well as to show you how to migrate the schema from the basic, dare I say lonely Usage Tracking RPD, and integrate it with a more real world scenario RPD like the one your company runs its supply chain analytics from. The video is below - enjoy.
Remember, the toll for watching this video is simply to leave a comment. If you learn anything from the video then you must leave a comment and praise it heavily. : )
In my previous post on Essbase Studio Server & OC4J as a Windows Service I mainly tailored that information to Essbase Studio. I received a bit of feedback on making sure I added the OC4J component in a similar fashion and here it is. Don’t forget to watch the video tutorial for full disclosure.
I recommend extracting the Zip file to the following root path, ORACLEBI_HOME\server\.
Similar to the Essbase Studio windows service files you will need to update the RegisterService.bat and ServiceRegistration.reg files to point to your installation’s correct OC4J file paths. Once that has been confirmed execute the _init_BuildAppAsWinServiceWrapper.bat to launch the process. Click ‘OK’ for all registry update prompts.
Gotchas
There are no gotchas to this solution that I have yet found. If you spy any please leave a comment and I will seek to provide an update. The main thing to note is that this solution was developed for the 10.1.3.4 release of OBIEE which is the 10.1.3.1.0 release of OC4J and the Embedded Java Containers. If you run the following command in a command window you will be able to see the version of OC4J that your machine is running:
ORACLEBI_HOME\oc4j_bi\bin\oc4j.cmd -version
Conclusion
Again, once one knows how to use the inherent code for Windows Servers it is actually quite straightforward to implement this type of solution.
As promised, based on my previous post regarding setting up Essbase Studio Server and OC4J to run as a Windows Service, I have provided a video to visually assist you with your integration.
As you know, the Hyperion 11.1.1.3 release of Essbase Studio Server was not release as a windows service. After my last Essbase Studio implementation project, and being repeatedly asked, “How do we run Essbase Studio as a Windows Service?”, I decided to dig deep into the details and deliver a concrete answer to those that care to read on. Of course, I was successful in my endeavor, hence this post. Now, I ask, Do you want to see Essbase Studio Server launchable in your services panel like this…?
I keep getting asked “Was the Essbase Studio installation ever provided as a windows service?”. My reply to that now is “Who cares?”. If the Oracle think-tank decided not to make life easier for us with a Windows Service for Essbase Studio upon install then so be it. At least now, I’ve got a great rebuttal and a top-notch solution. Now, no longer must this one piece of the Hyperion BI suite be the outcast with only the startServer.bat file to launch the server. Read the full story
My name is Christian Screen, a Business Intelligence mastermind working with mainly Oracle and Microsoft technologies. The views expressed here are my own and do not reflect the views of Oracle, Microsoft, or my employer.
