Using GUIDE in SQL Mode › Planning the Query › Planning Overview

Planning Overview

As discussed in Displaying Database Names and Structures, online aids are available to help you in making decisions about your query. However, before you begin creating a new query using Guided Query, the CREATE function, by editing an existing query, or using the DRAW command, you should already have a general idea about what you want.

Prerequisites

Before you begin creating a query, you should know the following:

• What kind of data, in general, you want to report?
• Whether you want to see only certain rows (for instance, only the data for certain zip codes)?
• Whether you want to make calculations based on the existing data?

Important things to find out as you create your report are:

• Which database tables contain the data you need?
• Whether you need to search more than one table to retrieve all the information you require?
• If you search more than one table, what data should be used to join the tables?

In addition to using the CA Dataquery online aids, you can also obtain a report from your CA Dataquery Administrator that lists authorized database tables and column names, along with other pertinent information. We recommend that you ask your CA Dataquery Administrator to give you some background information about the tables you are authorized to use before you begin to use CA Dataquery.

Report Format Definition

The title, headings and format of the query output and specifications for sorting, subtotals and totals are decided by input you provide during the initial execution of the query. You should be familiar with the format definition options available with the execution panels as you plan your query. Getting a Report provides details about report format specifications.