Connections

Table of Contents

• FAQs
• Troubleshooting

FAQs

Can I connect to data types that I don't see listed in the connection's Data Source list?

Rapid Insight products ship with several providers included so that a standard set of connection types are available immediately. In order for additional connection types to be established, database drivers/ providers or applications may need to be installed on the machine. Your IT department or DBA may be able to help with this, but feel free to reach out to RI-Support@eab.com with questions.

Can I connect to cloud based data sources?

With new cloud-based data solutions entering the space each day, we are always adding new connection capabilities to our products. Don’t see an available connection type that you require? Contact us and ask about getting connected!

Can I use different types of data in a single job?

Yes! There are no restrictions on the types or number of data sources used by a job. Databases and flat files like Oracle, SQL, SPSS, Excel, .CSV, and SalesForce are common examples. Associated drivers may be needed to access specific databases. For more in depth conversations about connecting to specific data sources contact RI-Support@eab.com. 

Can I use a large dataset containing millions of rows?

Yes! There is no limit to the volume of data you can work with. Any limitations will be due to a given computer’s processing power. The software itself is scalable and has no limitations on record size. Naturally, larger data sets will be more difficult for the system to work with, and may take longer to process within the program.

Can I make a connection to a mapped network drive?

Desktop application versions of Construct can access and connect to the current user’s mapped drives. Versions of Construct that run as a Windows Service (such as Construct with Scheduling and Construct Enterprise) may require an additional step to access the drives.

Enterprise users can list mapped drives as available folders for the client on the server through the Veera Construct Enterprise Manager in the Server Folders tab. Alternately, users may set up a custom configuration file named “EntServer.config” and place it in the folder C:\ProgramData\Rapid Insight Inc\Veera Construct\Configuration in order for mapped locations to be accessible. If this file is not created then the entire system is readable, however once the custom configuration is defined, all desired folders will need to be added to the entry in order to remain available. 

How do I delete a table or connection reference?

To delete a specific table or an entire connection, right-click on the table name or connection name and select Remove. Deleting files, tables, or connections from within a job will not harm the original data or the connection, it just removes it from the current job.

Troubleshooting

I am creating a new connection but the Connection Name is red, and won't let me save

A connection is an open doorway for data to enter the software from it's specific location (folder, database, etc.). Once this "doorway" has been opened once, it stays open and does not need to be "re-opened". When a Connection Name in a new connection shows in a red box, this means a connection to that location has already been created. The door is already open. Using the Select Existing Connection option instead of the Create New Connection, will allow you to chose from any of your pre-existing "open doors"/connections. This prevents users from having to re-establish connections from scratch for every new job, and cluttering their connections with duplicate instances.

I have Microsoft Access installed but still don't see it in the connection's Data Source list

Microsoft Office must be installed on the machine running the program. In order for Access to show as an available connection type in the software, the bitness (e.g. x32, x64) of MS Office and your Rapid Insight software must match. The most common installation of Rapid Insight products is 64 bit, while 32 bit MS Office is also common. If you have a “click-to-run” enterprise version of MS Office, you may not actually have an Access driver installed on your machine. In this case, you may need to install a driver manually, or even use a file type other than Access. Since this discrepancy can be nuanced, contact RI-Support@eab.com if you’re not sure which version of Rapid Insight or MS Office you use.

ERROR: ORA-T12154 TNS could not resolve service name

Rapid Insight software looks for an Oracle configuration file when attempting to establish data connections to Oracle databases. This configuration file is called “tnsnames.ora”, and often resides with other Oracle files you may have on your PC. This error could be due to either not having this file, or the program not being able to find this file.

If you do not have a tnsnames.ora file, your database administrator should be able to provide one.

If you do have a tnsnames.ora file, to ensure that it is found, a System Variable called TNS_ADMIN should be established in the Environment Variables properties pointing to the location of the configuration file. Confirm this is in place by going to Control Panel > System Properties > Environment Variables and browse the System Variables list. If this variable does not exist, create a new variable with the name TNS_ADMIN and a value of the file path of the configuration file.

I don't see a data file I know is there in the connection window

The Select Tables screen will only show files that match the selected Data Source type (Excel, Text, Access, etc).  Double-check to make sure that the selected Data Source type is the actual type of data of the file in question. For example, a common mistake would be selecting Excel (.xls, .xlsx, .xlsb) as the Data Source, however the actual type of data in the file is a Text (.csv)

I've chosen text files in my connection but can't save

When selecting files, often specifically with text files, Construct will usually, but not always, set up the file schema upon connecting to the data source. If the schema has not been automatically configured, the Save button may appear grayed out and may be unclickable. If the Has Properties column contains a check, then the table schema is set up by default and nothing more is needed. If the check is missing, additional steps will be needed to set up the schema of the dataset. For full details on configuring the Properties of a text file, see Common Data Source Types > Text > Troubleshooting in this article. 

I need to replace the file path for a connection that is used in many of my jobs

Occasionally users need to switch the location of a connection that is used throughout many of their jobs. Instead of creating a new connection to the desired location, and then finding each job that used the original connection and adding the new one, users can use the Connection Folder Replacer tool. This tool can be found by going to Tools > Replace Connection Folder in the main toolbar from the Workspace tab. 

Note: All other tabs must be closed in order to use this tool.

To replace a connection, enter the file path of the connection you want to replace. Then enter the file path of the new connection destination. Select the Search button to review all instances of the original connection. Use the check box at the far right of the window to select which versions of the connection should be replaced. Then select the Replace button. Jobs that used the original connection file path will now reflect the updated file path.

Important: You should always create a backup before performing an expansive operation like replacing a connection folder. If the new connection does not contain files that are used by a job, a significant amount of work can result in order to fix each affected job. Having a backup gives users the option to revert in case the file replacement does not go as planned.