Actions (ILM)

An action represents a transformation to execute on input flows in a data transformation diagram. Filtering, aggregating or duplicating data are examples of transformation you may need to perform in your activities.

Actions are linked to the previous step (data input or another action) using a data flow. Values of the input flow automatically appear in the Data Structure Columns tab of the action.

In the following example, the values of the Acme database input are propagated to the DataProjection_1 action, and are in turn propagated to the DataMerge action, and so on until they reach the GiantCorp database output:

You can create the following actions in a data transformation diagram:

Object	Tool	Symbol	Description
Script execution			Executes a script (see Inserting a script execution).
Data query execution			Executes an SQL Query in the database (see Inserting a data query execution).
Data aggregation			Reduces the number of rows from an input data flow in order to group the data (see Inserting a data aggregation).
Data sort			Sorts input rows from an input data flow (see Inserting a data sort).
Data filter			Filters rows from an input data flow (see Inserting a data filter).
Data split			Duplicates an input data flow into several output data flows (see Inserting a data split).
Data join			Joins data from several input data flows into one output data flow (see Inserting a data join).
Data lookup			Finds the corresponding value to a key column and store it in a new column of the output data flow (see Inserting a data lookup).
Data merge			Merges all the rows from several input data flows into one output data flow (see Inserting a data merge).
Data projection			Defines basic data transformations, such as removing columns or changing the order of columns (see Inserting a data projection).
Data calculator			Defines complex data transformations, such as filtering or aggregating data (see Inserting a data calculator).

Creating an Action
You can create an action in any of the following ways:
Action Properties
You can modify an object's properties from its property sheet. To open an action property sheet, double-click its diagram symbol or its Browser entry in the Actions folder. The following section detail the property sheet tabs that contain the properties most commonly entered for actions.
Inserting a Script Execution
A script execution executes a script for each row of the input flow. For example, it can be used to create a log file, a mail or a text file related to the input flow.
Inserting a Data Query Execution
A data query execution executes an SQL Query against a database for each row of the input flow to transform it, and create a new data flow. Data from the input flow can be used as parameter.
Inserting a Data Aggregation
A data aggregation aggregates incoming data using functions such as Avg, Min, Max, Count, Sum etc.
Inserting a Data Sort
A data sort sorts incoming rows by one or more data structure columns.
Inserting a Data Filter
A data filter filters incoming rows using SQL criteria.
Inserting a Data Split
A data split duplicates a simple input data flow into two or more identical output data flows.
Inserting a Data Merge
A data merge combines two or more identical input flows into a single output flow.
Inserting a Data Join
A data join performs a join on two ore more input flows, and combines them.
Inserting a Data Lookup
A data lookup lets you find the corresponding value to a key column, and replace it by creating a new column for the output data flow.
Inserting a Data Projection
A data projection performs basic data transformations, such as removing columns or changing the order of columns.
Inserting a Data Calculator
A data calculator allows you to perform any kind of data transformations, by specifying an SQL query.

Parent topic: Building Data Transformation and Control Flow Diagrams