Business Objects Universe file

BusinessObjects Universes are files made up of objects and classes that map source data structure in the database to the business terms used by the non-IT report authors and analysts.
For reporting and analysis, the business users select the universe they want to use and they build queries in Web Intelligence, Web Intelligence Rich Client, Desktop Intelligence and other tools. The query is built by selecting objects defined in the universe, without knowing anything about the underlying data structures in the database.

Technically, the universe file has an .unv extension and contains the following information:

• Connection parameters to a data source - only one source can be defined for a universe. However if necessary, universes can be joined on a report level (in WebIntelligence for instance).
• SQL structures (objects), grouped into classes, that map to actual SQL structures in the database such as schemas, tables, columns, functions and procedures.
• A diagram of the tables and joins used in the database structures that are included in the schema.

Through universes, the business users can access data stored in relational databases, OLAP cubes, metadata sources, JavaBean data sources and personal data files.

Universe modeling process

The design and scope of a universe schema should always derive from the end-user requirements as it provides an interface for them to run queries against a source database, create reports and analyze data.

It is absolutely necessary to understand the underlying data prior to starting the universe development process. This might be a data warehouse model (Star, Snowflake or Fact Constellation schema), Data Mart or a production OLTP source system.
Every universe contains the following two structures that represent the source data:

• Class - is a logical grouping of objects within a universe which represents a category of objects, indicates the category of the contained objects. Classes can be divided hierarchically into subclasses and represented as folders on a tree hierarchy in the universe pane.
• Object - is a component named with a business naming standard that maps to data in the database or calls a database function or uses other objects from within the same universe. Each objects can be qualified as a Dimension, a Detail or a Measure. Objects represent meaningful entities, facts or calculations used by the business users.