Contents
This topic describes how to configure a Query Table using the options in the Properties view for the Query Table data construct.
A Query Table data construct is always associated with one or more Query operators, which are described in Using the Query Operator.
The Query Table data construct does not have input and output ports, and the flow of tuples in your application does not typically flow through a Query Table. Instead, each Query Table data construct must be associated with at least one Query operator. Use the Query operator to read from, write to, delete from, or update your Query Table.
To draw an association arc between a Query Table data construct and a Query operator:
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Select the gray square on the bottom port of the Query operator, and hold down the mouse button.
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Drag the mouse pointer to the gray square at the top of the Query Table data construct.
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Release the mouse button.
If you mark a Query Table as shared, then outer modules can run queries on the shared Query Table in an inner module and vice versa. In this case, you draw an association arc between a Query operator and the Module Reference, both in the outer module.
At the top of the Properties view for a Query Table data construct, there is an Affected Components link. Click this link to display a pop-up window that lists the Query operators in the current module that are associated with the selected Query Table. Click anywhere outside the pop-up to close the pop-up.
The following example shows an Affected Components pop-up window that shows the Query operators associated with the Nasdaq100Table
Query Table in the Query.sbapp
sample application, which is a member of the operator
sample group shipped with StreamBase.
![](../images/querytable-propsview-affected-components-open.png)
The EventFlow diagram for the sample application looks like this:
![](../images/Query-sbapp.png)
Notice that the Nasdaq100Table
Query Table is referenced by six Query operators, two of which write into the table, three of which read from the table,
and one that deletes rows in the table.
Name: Use this field to specify or change the component's name, which must be unique in the application. The name must contain only alphabetic characters, numbers, and underscores, and no hyphens or other special characters. The first character must be alphabetic or an underscore.
Description: Optionally enter text to briefly describe the component's purpose and function. In the EventFlow canvas, you can see the description by pressing Ctrl while the component's tooltip is displayed.
Use the Table Settings tab to specify this Query Table's type and behavior. The following image shows the tab with all default values:
![](../images/querytable-propsview-tablesettings-privateschema.png)
The following table describes the Table Settings tab options.
Property | Default | Description |
---|---|---|
Shared | No |
Controls the visibility of this Query Table across application modules. Use this setting to mark the data in this Query Table as accessible from outside the module that defines it. Setting No restricts this Query Table's visibility to the module that defines this Query Table. This is the default setting. toSetting Yes marks this Query Table in the current module as accessible to a Query operator in a separate module or container. toWhen a Module Reference refers to a module that contains a Shared Query Table, its icon displays a gray data port on its top edge, similar to the data port on top of a Query Table icon. You can connect a Query operator in the separate module to the shared table by means of this data port. ImportantStreamBase does not support exporting a Query Table from a Module Reference with a multiplicity setting greater than 1. See Concurrency Options for details. When you define a Query Table with a table schema, you must still specify the memory versus disk table Type, the Access Label, and other settings on the Table Settings tab for this table. |
Enable Data Stream port | No | When you select Yes, the Query Table's icon gains a Delta Stream port on its right vertex. An event tuple is emitted on the Delta Stream port for every change to the table's contents. |
Data Location | Local | Specifies where data for this Query Table can be found. Use this setting to access a table that is not in the current module.
The options for
|
are:
Type | In memory | Specifies the persistence of this Query Table. The options are:
|
Truncate on startup | (dimmed) | This setting applies only to On disk Query Tables.
If set to
If set to
|
The EventFlow canvas icons for Shared and Placeholder Query Tables are overlaid with decorations to distinguish them from concrete, private Query Tables. When a table is shared, the table within the has a green dot overlay in its lower right corner. If the table is not local to the module, it has a blue triangle overlay in its lower left corner.
![]() |
![]() |
In addition, a Query Table that implements a StreamBase interface is shown with a boxed uppercase I
in the lower right corner of the icon's tile:
![](../images/query-table-icon-decoration-interface.png)
The following table describes the Schema tab options.
Property | Default | Description |
---|---|---|
Table Schema | <Private Table Schema> |
Either choose an existing table schema or define a private table schema for this table. The default setting enables you to define a schema in the grid below. You must also define your table's indexes using the Primary Index and Secondary Indices tabs. Private schema definitions are local to this Query Table and to the containing module. You can instead select the name of a previously-defined table schema from the drop-down list. The schema and index definitions for this Query Table are taken from the specified table schema. As a table schema defines indexes, you cannot change them using the Primary Index and Secondary Indices tabs. ![]() The Table Schema drop-down list only lists table schema names if the containing module defines or imports at least one table schema. Table schemas are discussed further in Using Table Schemas. When you define a Query Table with a table schema, you must still specify the other settings (for example, memory versus disk table) on the Table Settings tab for this table. |
Fields | Inherited or empty | Unless you have specified a Fields drop-down is dimmed, and the fields of the schema grid are populated by the table schema and are non-editable. When enabled, the Fields drop-down lets you choose from available named schemas. To configure a local schema, set the Fields drop-down to . Enter a private schema for this table and then define indices for it, as described below. | for this table, the
Use the Schema tab to select a previously defined table schema, which replaces both schema and index settings for the entire table. If you specified an existing Table Schema, then the Fields drop-down is disabled. In this case, the specified table schema is responsible for providing this Query Table's schema. If you specify no Table Schema, you can select a previously-defined named schema, which provides only the schema definition, leaving the index settings to you.
If the <Private Table Schema>
, then you can define the schema for this Query Table, as follows:
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Type text into the optional Schema Description field at the bottom of the Schema tab to document your schema.
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Select
in the lower drop-down list. (The drop-down list provides no other choices unless you have defined or imported at least one named schema for the current module.)- Private Schema
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Populate the schema fields using one of these methods:
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Define the schema's fields manually, using the
button to add a row for each schema field. You must enter values for the Field Name and Type cells; the Description cell is optional. For example:
Field Name Type Description symbol string Stock symbol quantity int Number of shares Field names must follow the StreamBase identifier naming rules. The data type must be one of the supported StreamBase data types, including, for tuple fields, the identifier of a named schema and, for override fields, the data type name of a defined capture field.
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Add and extend a parent schema. Use the
button's Add Parent Schema option to select a parent schema, then optionally add local fields that extend the parent schema. If the parent schema includes a capture field used as an abstract placeholder, you can override that field with an identically named concrete field. Schemas must be defined in dependency order. If a schema is used before it is defined, an error results.
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Copy an existing schema whose fields are appropriate for this component. To reuse an existing schema, click the
button. (You may be prompted to save the current module before continuing.)
In the Copy Schema dialog, select the schema of interest as described in Copying Schemas. Click when ready, and the selected schema fields are loaded into the schema grid. Remember that this is a local copy and any changes you make here do not affect the original schema that you copied.
The existing schema can be from a system stream, or from any named or unnamed schema defined in the current module or in another application in your workspace. You can also select a CSV text file and populate a schema with its column headers. Studio will attempt to infer data types from the first few rows of values, and you can override the types it identifies. Currently, auto-detection of int, double, boolean, string, timestamp and tuples are supported, but not lists or functions. When indicating tuples, the CSV header must identify subtuples with dot notation, for example as
stock.symbol
,stock.price
.
Use the
, , and buttons to edit and order your schema fields. -
- Named Schema
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Use the drop-down list to select the name of a named schema previously defined in or imported into this module. The drop-down list is empty unless you have defined or imported at least one named schema for the current module.
When you select a named schema, its fields are loaded into the schema grid, overriding any schema fields already present. Once you import a named schema, the schema grid is dimmed and can no longer be edited. To restore the ability to edit the schema grid, re-select
Private Schema
from the drop-down list.
If you specified the name of a table schema in the Table Schema drop-down in the Schema tab, the Primary Index tab shows the primary index field or fields defined in the table schema. You cannot edit the index fields.
If you specified Table Schema drop-down, then you must use the Primary Index tab to define the primary index field for this Query Table.
the name of a table schema in theQuery Tables must have a primary index to be valid. Use the Primary Index tab to select a schema field or fields that will be used to look up values in the Query Table. Usually, the primary index field or fields are those that the associated Query operators will use most often. For example, in a table that stores stock trade information, the field that holds the stock symbol is likely to be queried often.
In the Available Fields list, double-click each field that you want to add to the index (or select a field and click the right arrow button). If a Query Table's schema includes fields of type list or tuple, you can use a subfield as the field specification.
Tip
A timestamp field is usually a poor choice for a Query Table primary index, because multiple input tuples can have identical timestamps, and primary index values must be unique. Instead of a timestamp, consider using a Sequence operator to generate unique IDs. See the Sequence operator sample for a simple illustration of this technique.
In the Available Fields list, double-click each field that you want to add to the index (or select a field and click the right arrow button).
Use the Index Type control to select how keys are indexed for table read operations:
- Unordered, no ranges (hash):
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Keys are unsorted, and they are evenly distributed (hashed) across the index. A hash index is used for accessing keys based on equality, and are generally best for doing simple lookups.
- Ordered, with ranges (btree)
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Keys are sorted. A btree index is used when output ordering and range queries are desired. Note that the sort depends on the order of the fields in the index keys.
The relative performance of hash and btree methods varies depending on many factors, including the distribution of keys in your dataset. If you are in doubt, try both methods to determine which produces the fastest lookup times for associated Query operators. Also remember that StreamBase Studio allows you to specify a key range and sort order in an associated Query operator when you use a btree ordered index, but not when using hashed access.
If you specified the name of a table schema in the Schema tab, then entries in the Secondary Indices tab are pre-set by the table schema, and you cannot edit or add to them.
When the Table Schema is set to <Private Table Schema>
, you can use the Secondary Indices tab to define one or more secondary index fields for this Query Table.
Secondary indexes specify a field or set of fields that are used to look up values in the Query Table. Secondary indexes are optional; if used, no secondary index field can be the same as the primary index field. If a Query Table's schema includes fields of type list or tuple, you can use a subfield as the field specification.
For each secondary index:
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Click
to display the Edit Secondary Index dialog. -
In the Available Fields list, double-click each field that you want to add to the index.
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Click the
button.
Tip
Timestamp fields are usually poor choices for a Query Table secondary index, because multiple input tuples can have identical timestamps. Instead of a timestamp, consider using a Sequence operator to generate unique IDs. See the Sequence operator sample for a simple illustration of this technique.
Fields are indexed using the btree method by default. Just as with primary indexes, you can also use the hash method. To change the index type, select Ordered or Unordered at the bottom of the Edit Secondary Index dialog. You can intermix hash and btree indexes in the same Query Table. For example, the primary index could be hash and a secondary index could be btree.
Secondary indexes make write and delete operations slower, because each secondary index in the Query Table must be updated with every change to the Query Table.
You can use an expression as part of specifying the field or fields that comprise a secondary index for a Query Table. The expression must be statically resolvable, and must contain the name of at least one field in the Query Table's schema. A sample in the Operator Sample Group illustrates this feature.
Use the Initial Contents tab to specify the starting point contents of this Query Table at module startup. Query Tables that load initial contents at startup show a red asterisk overlay:
![](../images/icon-queryop-initialcontentsoverlay.png)
The options on this tab are only available when you have specified
in the drop-down on the Table Settings tab:- Be empty
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The default option is to not load the Query Table at module start time. Select this option under the following circumstances:
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If you want this table to start as a clean slate at module start time, to be populated by upstream operators as the containing module runs.
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If this table will be loaded at start time by an external operator such as a CSV File Reader adapter.
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- Load initial rows from a resource file, CSV
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Select a resource file in CSV format, which must already exist on this module's resource search path. The initial loader's CSV reading capabilities are a strict subset of the features available in the CSV File Reader adapter and the Feed Simulation CSV Data File Option. The initial loader CSV file has the following restrictions:
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You must use commas as the field separator.
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The file's columns must exactly match the schema of the Query Table in number and data type for each field.
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The
null
keyword is not accepted, but you can specify empty fields with a pair of adjacent quotes:""
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Date format strings are not interpreted as timestamp fields. Specify the exact literal time instead.
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Specify the fields of the tuple data type as a comma-separated list between double quotes. For example, for the schema
(a int, b (b1 int, b2 int), c string)
, enter CSV rows like the following:3, "10, 20", alpha 4, "20, 30", beta
If the CSV file to be loaded contains a header row, select the
check box, otherwise leave it unchecked.The
operators
sample group includes a CSV file,ResourceFiles/NASDAQ100.csv
, in the correct format for use as an initial table loader. Use this file with theQuery.sbapp
module, replacing the CSV File Reader adapter currently in place. You can also establish a project reference from your own test project folder to thesample_operator
project, then use this file to load Query Tables in your own modules. -
- Load initial rows from a resource file, TSV
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TSV stands for tab-separated values. TSV files follow the same rules as CSV files, but use a hard tab character as the field separator instead of a comma. This includes using a tab character between the fields of a tuple field.
- Load initial rows from a resource file, JSON
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Select a file from this module's resource search path, containing one or more JSON objects, each on its own row. JSON objects are defined on json.org as a set of comma-separated field-value pairs, with pairs separated by a colon, and with the entire object surrounded by braces. Strings in JSON are surrounded by double quotes. There is no header row in JSON format.
For example, following are the first two rows of the
NASDAQ100.csv
file expressed in JSON object format, with truncated Description fields for readability. The two lines are shown here on four lines for publication clarity:{ Name:"Activision Blizzard, Inc",Symbol:"ATVI",Price:12.71,Color:"red", Description:"Activision Blizzard ..."} { Name:"Adobe Systems Incorporated",Symbol:"ADBE",Price:28.43,Color:"yellow", Description:"Founded in 1982, ..."}
To specify the subfields of a field of type tuple in JSON object format, use a nested pair of braces. For example, for the schema
(a int, b (b1 int, b2 int), c string)
, enter JSON rows like the following.{a: 3, b: {b1: 10, b2: 20}, c: "alpha"} {a: 4, b: {b1: 20, b2: 30}, c: "beta"}
You can also use JSON array format as defined on json.org, like this example:
[3, [10, 20], "alpha"] [4, [20, 30], "beta"]
In both JSON object and array formats, white space is ignored, but you must use commas to separate tuple fields.
- Load initial rows from the text below, CSV, TSV, or JSON
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Select this option and type one or more rows of data in CSV, TSV, or JSON format, using the same rules as for the files described above.
If you provide a CSV, TSV, or JSON loader file whose fields fail to match the table's schema, or if you type mismatched rows in the Initial Contents tab, the typechecking error is shown in associated Query operators as well as in the Properties view for the Query Table itself.
If the key field for a tuple record being written to a Query Table is null, the tuple is stored. In a Query Table with a sorted (btree) index, the null-keyed stored records are evaluated as less (in value) than other non-null records. On a subsequent read (lookup) operation, the null-keyed tuples can be located. For more information, see Using Nulls.