This article provides an introduction to the common terms used in Wyn Analytical Expressions (WAX).

Analytical Expressions

An analytical expression is a formula expression language that is used to perform advanced calculations in direct query models, cached models, cached datasets, and dashboards. These expressions consist of functions, operators, and value references, which are evaluated as a formula to generate results. In simpler words, analytical expressions help you create new data from the existing data in the data models and datasets.

AutoComplete

AutoComplete helps you enter a valid formula syntax by providing you with options for each element in the formula.

Calculated Column

A model calculation for adding fields to the target table using analytical expressions. The expression must return a scalar value and is calculated for each row in the table. A calculated column is often used in arithmetic operations or string processing. For more details refer to this topic.

Calculated Table

A model calculation for generating a table by writing an analytical expression. Currently, the Wyn dashboard automatically generates a complete calculation table based on the user input for querying data.

Context

It describes the environment in which an analytical expression is evaluated. It consists of dimension context and filter context.

Dimension Context

The dimension context can be understood as sending the dimension to the analytical expression. It defines how to (dis)aggregate your measure based on the dimension(s) you specify.

Expression

It is a unit of analytical expression logic that evaluates and returns a result. Expression is constructed by using model objects (tables, columns, or measures), functions, operators, or constants.

Filter Context

It can be understood as filtering the data of the original table of analytical expression. By default, the calculated dimension looks at the entire data set. In order to change that behavior, you can add a static filter or a dynamic one that can be adapted in view time through an input control.

Formulas

WAX formulas are essential for creating calculations in calculated columns and measures.

Function

It contains one or more arguments that allow passing input parameters. The name of the function must be followed by a parenthesis in which the parameters are passed. A function can include multiple function calls as well as nested functions.

Measure

A model calculation for adding fields to the target table using analytical expressions, which calculates aggregation operations on multiple rows of the table according to the context. The measure is often used to calculate total, count, average, percentage, etc. according to the different dimensions. For more details refer to this topic.

Name

It is used as an alias. It's a text name that users could customize. It is used to set the expression's name.

Queries

WAX queries can be created and run in Wyn. A WAX query is a statement, similar to a SELECT statement in SQL. The most basic type of WAX query is an evaluate statement.

Variables

You can use the keyword VAR for creating the variable in an expression. These variables store the results of the expressions into a name given to them. These named variables can then be passed as an argument in the other expression.