Category: SAP Community Network

Migrating a BTP MaxDB Database to SAP Hana

paschmann

Overview: This blog describes migrating a simple MaxDB database from HCP to a dedicated HCP HANA instance. Also has some details around a open source tool called XSImport – a free, open source native XS app for importing CSV files into HANA.

HCPMaxDBtoHANA.png

In the Enterprise Mobility team at SAP we are currently working on an exciting project migrating one of our existing applications to a HANA backend, while going through a major code rewrite. During this process, I had the task of migrating a HCP based MaxDB over to a dedicated HCP HANA DB. The dataset I was working with was not particularly large (@1.3 GB) with the majority of the data residing in just a few tables. (For reference this is a standalone Java HCP app). Since remote tunnel access to production HCP Databases is not available, the only way to get the raw data was through a HCP ticket, the support team were helpful and responsive, and after a couple of hours I had my exported dataset. read more

Open Source Project: XSImport – a HANA app for importing CSV’s

paschmann
XSImport.jpg

During a recent small migration project from a HCP MaxDB DB to a HCP HANA DB I needed to import multiple CSV files, and go through a series of dry runs during the process. Since I was going to be doing the loads multiple times, I decided it would be helpful to write a small front end to make the processes of uploading failrly large CSV files into HANA simpler.

Over the past few months I have heard the question: “Whats the best way to get data into HANA from CSV?” While there are a few options if you have a HANA appliance and system level access to the system, there are not too many options with a HCP instance. After trying/testing the CSV import from Studio (size limit), a hdbti file (not great for multiple/repetitive options/file size challenges) it does not leave you with too many choices. After doing some digging it seems quite a few people have uploaded data through a server side script (XSJS) successfully and using the BATCH option while processing is pretty fast. read more

Open Source Project: Syscompare

paschmann
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A couple of weeks ago I was moving code from 1 hana instance to another trying to keep them in sync. However, I thought there might be a better alternative for comparing the contents of the repos across my systems to ensure that the files matched. After doing some digging and not finding a solution, I decided to write a small tool to do just this, called Syscompare. It is a open source HANA app which uses the new File API and compares the files on each system and displays the differences.

You can read more about the application here, and find the files for the HANA app in Github.

Features:

– Compare repos across HANA instances

– Display file differences in the application read more

Building a Startup – The “big picture” on your road to success

paschmann

This is part 3 of my blog series called: “Building a start-up in the SAP HANA space“.

What is considered a “Startup”?

“A startup is a company working to solve a problem where the solution is not obvious and success is not guaranteed”

Neil Blumenthal, cofounder and co-CEO of Warby Parker.

Startup or Side Project?

To me, the big difference is your expectations. Generally in a side project, you have little or no expectations of financial reward or success, these projects are a labor of love and something which is intended to help a community or yourself to achieve a  goal. Don’t get me wrong, it could also include financial incentive, like getting paid for your time or materials. A startup is not much different, they too are a labor of love, and command a considerable amount of attention and dedication, however, your goal for the venture is some form of success. This goal is to generate revenue in some shape or form, and often it comes with the pressures of operational overhead, tight release schedules and financial burden. read more

Building a Startup – Your value proposition and elevator pitch

paschmann

This is part 2 of my blog series called: “Building a start-up in the SAP HANA space“.

Over the past 15 years, I have developed a variety of applications. Web, mobile, some in the startup realm, some just as side projects, customers projects, partner applications, and the list goes on. Although if there is 1 common denominator across all of them, is that I generally started to write code, before I knew *exactly* what I was going to build. Looking back, I realize why I did this, and generally it was because of all the enthusiasm I had for wanting to make something work, bringing something to reality and showing it *is* possible.

metric² was no different, of course I learned a few things over years, but since I was working with a newer technology, I was keen to get my hands dirty and see what was possible. Before I got started, I put together a list of core features, a technology stack, frameworks to be used, and how it should all be integrated. I thought I was doing things “differently” than before, by starting out with a sure fire plan to develop something which was going to win. But I missed one of the most important topics, my “Value Proposition”. read more

Building a Startup – SAP Startup Focus Program

paschmann

I have some fond memories of a television series from the BBC called “A Car is Born” a 15 episode show where the presenter, Mark Evans painstakingly builds a AC Cobra replica. The show highlighted his experiences, trials and tribulations of building something from the ground up.

At TechEd 2014 in Las Vegas I gave a presentation on being a part of the SAP HANA startup program, developing a product, and trying to make an impact in the world of SAP HANA. While its been an interesting ride, I really felt that my 45 minutes up at the podium was really not enough to convey the past 2 years of highs, lows, successes and failures. Since that was the case, I thought I would get back to some blogging about my experiences along the road, hoping that I can inspire, dissuade and educate others about my quest, just like the BBC show. If you are a budding entrepreneur, HANA guru or just wanting to gain some life lessons (at someone else cost), I encourage you to read on, and share your experiences through some of your life journeys. read more

Git HANA – A free, open-source Github client for SAP HANA

paschmann
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Over the last few months, working on the metric² open source project, I have been frequently updating the GitHub repo. As a heavy XS Web IDE user, this entailed exporting or copying the contents of the files from the package into my local GitHub repository for the project and subsequently committing the files from there. Since there is a small disconnect between the source (my HANA packages) and the destination (GitHub) I like to often see what changes which are due to be committed, the differences between the files, or just compare the files between the 2 systems.

Being over dedicated to building solutions to some of my workflow challenges (see here, here and here), I created yet another small HANA native app called Git <> HANA. The application allows you to compare files between your local HANA package and your (or any other) GitHub repo, and it also lets you commit files directly from the UI to GitHub, and vice-versa. If a file does not exists, it will create it for you (on either side). There are a couple other cool features which you can read about below, or watch the little video I created. read more

Hacking SAP HANA Websockets

paschmann

Disclaimer: This is not a production or documented feature – its also more of a hijack than a hack  🙂 

I have been hoping for the inclusion of Websocket support on the HANA DB platform for a while now, and I was a little disappointed it was not packaged in the SPS08 release. My goal when building apps (or products) is to make use of the core platform its running on as much as possible, I firmly believe that when convincing an IT department, or company, to implement a product or app, the first question is: “How much infrastructure does this need?”. This can often be a deal breaker and why I am such a big proponent of the HANA’s DB + XS App Server integration – it consolidates the requirements into a single investment. Having a Websocket technology built directly in XS can be an additional selling point which developers are starting to expect these days. read more

Open Source Project: Metric² for SAP HANA – v2.0

paschmann

After releasing metric² at TechEd Las Vegas last year it has had well over a hundred downloads, and has a couple loyal followers always offering advice and feedback (which I am truly thankful for). Last week we released version 2.0 of the free and open source app and subsequently put it onto GitHub under the MIT license which you can find here.

The biggest changes of the new version of metric² include:

  • A new UI (Twitter bootstrap based)
  • The ability for users to create their own account
  • A few new metrics
  • No longer uses SAPUI5 (a blog post in itself!)
  • The biggest change was the front-end/UI and the code has been refactored and split up into multiple library files (XSJSLib) and is simplified for easier reading.

The primary goal of the app is, and always has been to try and visualize your big data. Along with providing a self service tool to monitor and provide insights on the data you have in, and around your HANA system, while using it to the fullest.

Short Survey

I am in the process of trying to understand where to take the app in terms of use and direction and if you are interested in helping guide the discussion, if you have downloaded, used or seen the app I would greatly appreciate if you took 1 minute to complete a short 5 question, multiple choice survey here. read more