Saturday, November 29, 2014


  • Create a new graph
  • Go to (‘File>New’)
  • Then ‘File>Save As’ (i.e., Graph1) to save it in the appropriate ‘sandbox’ to enable this new graph to pick up the proper environment.


Add Input dataset











Create Graph – Dml

DLM is Ab Initio Data Manipulation Language. DML describe data in terms of Record format, Expression, Transform function and keys.
Record format -> List the fileds and format of input, output and intermediate records
Expression -> Simple computations
Transform function -> control reformatting aggregation and other data transformations
Keys -> Grouping, ordering, and partitioning relationships between records.







  • Propagate from Neighbors: Copy record formats from connected flow.
  • Same As: Copy record format’s from a specific component’s port.
  • Path: Store record formats in a Local file, Host File, or in the Ab Initio repository.
  • Embedded: Type the record format directly in a string.



Creating Graph – Transform




  • A transform function is either a DML file or a DML string that describes how you manipulate your data.
  • Ab Initio transform functions mainly consist of a series of assignment statements. Each statement is called a business rule.
  • When Ab Initio evaluates a transform function, it performs following tasks:
  • Initializes local variables
  • Evaluates statements
  • Evaluates rules.
  • Transform function files have the xfr extension.

Creating Graph - xfr



Tranform function: A set of rules that compute output values from input values.
Business rule: part of a transform function that describe how  you manipulate one filed of your output data.

Variable: optional part of a transform function that provides storage for temporary values.

Statement: Optional part of a transform function that assign values of variables in a specific order.


Creating Graph – Sort Component




  • Sort: The sort component reorders data. It comprises two parameters: Key and max-core.
  • Key: The Key is one of the parameters for Sort component which describes the collation order.
  • Max-core: The max-core parameter controls how often the sort component dumps data from memory to disk.





Creating Graph – Dedup component






  • Dedup component removes duplicate records.
  • Dedup criteria will be either unique-only, First or Last.


Creating Graph – Join Component