Extracting data with Optim Designer

Use an Optim™ interoperability service that includes an extract request that will extract data. You can also export the request to an Optim directory.

The extract process selects data from a source (one or more tables in a database) and copies that data to a destination (an extract file).

To extract data, you must create an extract request in an Optim interoperability service that includes the specifications for the data to be extracted, called the data access plan, and the parameters for the extract process.

Optim interoperability service

Use the New Extract Service wizard to define parameters for processing the extract request. You must select a logical data model that includes the data to extract and a data access plan that defines the data to extract. You must also define parameters for processing such as the DB alias and the metadata to extract.

As a safeguard, you can limit the number of rows to be extracted in a process.

Extract File

The extract file contains the selected relationally intact data, the object definitions, or both. The extract file is stored locally on the client system or on a shared file server. After you create an extract file, you can use the file as often as needed to create new, or refresh existing, databases.

After you have extracted data and created an extract file, you can browse the contents of the file. This is useful to ensure that the contents are as expected.

Data access plan

A data access plan contains policies that determine which data to process or transform from a source logical data model in an Optim interoperability service. A data access plan is converted to a local access definition during the processing of an extract request.

Data access plans can include the following:
  • Selection policies, which determine the entities and attributes to use in an Optim interoperability service.
  • Data store policies, which define data source and connectivity information.
  • Data privacy policies, which define how to mask data in an Optim interoperability service.

Extract Process Report

An extract process report is generated as part of the extract process. The report contains general information and statistics about the process. The content of the report reflects what has been extracted─data, object definitions, or both.