Metadata Editor Initial Findings

[mtarallo]

This thread is for any initial findings that you come across when using the Pentaho Metadata Editor.

The findings can include:

GUI display issues
User functionality
Bugs
Documentation
Re-wording of
Additions to
Here is a GUI display issue:

O/S: Windows
PME Version: 1.5.4.37-0
Database: MySQL 5.0.24
Data: Sample Data loaded from MS Access Database
Number of tables: 4

It appears that graphical icons are missing from the hierarchal tree structures in the GUI. The left panel that displays the tables and the fields have white space where an icon should be.

Double clicking the "Table" name brings up the "Physical Table Properties" dialog. Here is another instance of where the graphical icon for each field name appears to be missing.

See attachments for examples.

The first screen captue is as is:

The second screen capture is as it could be:

[mtarallo]

Executing RunDemo.bat brings up an empty dialog with the heading:

"Select a Domain"

There isn't any documentation or further instruction on what to do with this next.

Is there additional configuration needed?
Is there documentation in place for this step?
Is there a sample Domain and Model ready to go?

[mtarallo]

O/S: Windows
PME Version: 1.5.4.37-0
Database: MySQL 5.0.24
Data: Sample Data loaded from MS Access Database
Number of tables: 4
Connection: JNDI

In the Connection Information dialog, PME will lock up after clicking "Test" if the database name in the "Database name" input text box is incorrect, does not exactly match the JNDI name in the jdbc.properties file (case sensitive) or if the entry does not even exist.

"Not Responding" will be displayed in the title bar and a hard kill of PME is necessary to clear the error.

Native JDBC works. The "Explore" and the "Test" button yield expected results and will return the correct error message if the "Database name" is incorrect.

[mtarallo]

The Icons in the PME toolbar are not transparent and do not blend with the window background color.

[mtarallo]

The "Physical Table Properties" dialog is too narrow to accomodate the "Property Editor" frame by default.

( The "Property Editor" frame appears when selecting a field from the "Subject" frame. )

The dialog can be resized, however there isn't a resize handle in the lower right corner that would make it obvious to a user that the window can be resized.

[mtarallo]

O/S: Windows
PME Version: 1.5.4.37-0
Database: MySQL 5.0.24
Data: Sample Data loaded from MS Access Database
Number of tables: 4

Specifics:

Create connection using JNDI, name it "JNDIConnection"
Test or Explorer, then OK
File, Save, name domain "test 1"
Right click JNDIConnection and import tables
Note: looks OK, click cancel
File, Quit, Save changes if prompted
Start PME again
File, Open, select "test 1" domain
expand Connections repeat import
notice error
click details for more info
click OK
right click "JNDIConnection", Edit
Click OK
repeat import
notice it Import Tables dialog works nowThis does not occur when using Native JDBC as a connection method.

[mtarallo]

After....

importing tables
creating a basic Business Model
creating a simple Business Viewthe following error is displayed when:


using the PM Query Editor (SQL button)
double clicking on the "Business View" text under the Categories and Columns section:

"There was an error running the demo."To avoid this error:

You must select the Business Model first from the list box above, which will then populate the Categories and Columns section.

Error message should be different, or Categories and Columns box should be enabled only after Business Model is selected.

[mtarallo]

Using the PM Query Editor you will notice that the "Order By Clause" section will display a column that is chosen for the Selected Columns section regardless of what column is selected from the Categories and Columns tree view section.

As a developer it would appear that the Categories and Columns tree would be the primary interface to choose columns for both sections.

Specifics:

Add columns to The Selected Columns using The Cat. & Col. tree interface
Take note of last column selected in the tree view
Select a different column other than the last one you selected
Click the "Add" button next to the Order By Clause section
Notice that column brought over is the one selected (highlighted in gray) in the Selected Columns section not the one you selected in the Cat. & Col. tree view.

[mtarallo]

Bubble help is missing from the following tool bar icons:


Concept Editor
Locales
Options
One would assume a descriptive message when hovering over these icons.

[mtarallo]

After a

manual save of the model into the repository is performed by selecting "File, Save"
and then "Publish to server" is selected...you are still asked to save before you bring the "Publish to Server" dialog is displayed.

This seems to be an unnecessary redundant step, if you have already saved the model to the repository.

This message also displays after "opening a domain" and selecting to publish to the server.

[mtarallo]

The "Publish to Server Dialog" should be consistent in wording as seen in other GUI tools such as the Report Designer.

The top image is the report designer

The bottom image is the PME

Notice the labels of the input text boxes are not consistent.

[mtarallo]

After loading a domain and then selecting to quit without making any changes to anything, this message will appear:

File has changed. Do you want to save first?

I feel this message should not display on exiting unless something has actually been changed.

[codek]

Right click on Business models, select "new business model" and then change your mind and click cancel. The model is still added with all the default values.