I have been in the computer business for 45 years, and I am obsessed with federated queries.  Federated queries are a combination of hardware and software working together like dance partners that make it an art.  A federated query joins tables together from different systems.  Federated queries are the definition of accessing any data, at any time, anywhere.

I have spent the last 15 years of my career dedicated to the quest to master the federated query.  There are some data scientists talented enough to join tables across all systems, but the art is allowing anyone to do it in seconds.  I am going to show you step by step instructions on how to perform a federated query.

Database vendors do not allow their database to talk with other databases.  So, we needed to make them talk.  So, the biggest key is to create the SQL automatically for the user.  To do so, we built a Super Join Builder.

I will demonstrate this by joining a table from the most powerful database and the simplest database.  I will join a MySQL table with a Teradata table.

 

Placing your First Table in the Super Join Builder

 

To enter the Super Join Builder, right-click on a table you want to join in your systems tree, and from the menu choose SUPER JOIN BUILDER.

 

 

The Addresses table is now present in the Super Join Builder.  We will now join a Teradata table with the name Subscribers to the MySQL Addresses table.

Left-click on the Teradata table you want to join to the MySQL Addresses table from the Nexus systems tree.  You will drop and drag the table into the Super Join Builder.  If you already have multiple tables in the Super Join Builder, you can drop the table you want to join on top of the table in the Super Join Builder that you want to join.

 

 

You will then receive a new screen where you can define how the two tables join together.  An example of the custom join screen where you establish the join conditions is below.

 

 

You will now select the join columns from both tables.  In our example, Subscriber_No is the join condition for both tables.  Left-click on the Subscriber_No column, and it will turn the color blue.  Do this for both tables.  Once this is complete, hit the blue arrow in the middle of both tables.  Clicking on the blue arrow will create the ON Clause.  When you see the correct ON clause, press the Add Join button on the bottom right.

 

 

Once you hit the Add Join button, you will see both tables in the Super Join Builder.

 

 

 

It is now time to choose the columns you want to see in your report.  Our example will first SELECT All of the columns from the Subscribers table.  We will then choose the City and Street columns from the Addresses table.  To select columns, place a checkmark in the box just in front of the column.  Check out the screenshot below to see the columns selected.

 

 

 

This query is ready to be executed.  If you click on EXECUTE at the top left of the Super Join Builder, the query will process, and you will receive the answer set.

 

 

We can change the processing hub to perform the join almost anywhere.  The Nexus will automatically change the SQL, and then move the appropriate table(s) to the processing hub.

If the Teradata table was huge and the MySQL was small, it makes more sense to make Teradata the processing hub.  I am going to change the hub to Teradata, and you will see the SQL change right before your eyes.

 

 

When I press on EXECUTE in the top left corner, the report comes back perfectly once again.

 

 

Now, this is only the beginning because there are more options even more brilliant.  You can’t dance with only a single step.  You need versatility.

One of the best ideas for speed is to use the Nexus as the processing hub.  Yes, Nexus is intelligent enough to bring back the data from all tables in the join, and then perform the join using your PC’s CPU and memory.  Here is how you make that happen.

 

Changing the Hub to MyPC

 

After changing the hub to MyPC, press EXECUTE.  The report will come back instantly.  See the report below.

 

 

 

Executing the Federated Query from the NexusCore Server

Now, for the grand finale.  If you want to speed this query up even faster, you can choose the hub of MyPC, but EXECUTE from the NexusCore Server.  The screenshot below shows you how to execute the query from the NexusCore Server.  Your local Nexus passes your credentials to the NexusCore Server.  The NexusCore Server runs the join for you, as you, which is the best way to process large joins fast.

 

 

The report then returns from the NexusCore Server to your Desktop Nexus.

 

 

As I mentioned in the opening of this blow, federated queries are a combination of hardware and software working together like dance partners that make it an art.

You need software that automatically builds the SQL, converts tables structures and data types between systems, and moves data.  We move data between 30 different systems in 80 different ways, depending on the database utility needed.

We process the query by allowing the processing hub to be any database platform, your PC, or the NexusCore Server.

If federated queries are on your roadmap, please give me a call.

 

Thank you.

 

Tom Coffing

CEO, Coffing Data Warehousing

Direct: 513 300-0341

Email: Tom.Coffing@CoffingDW.com

Website: www.CoffingDW.com

YouTube: YouTube/CoffingDW