Pivot stage Group column. what is it for?

[crogerson@dbworks-tech.co]

Greetings,

I have to modify an existing server job that does a horizontal pivot (columns to rows) using a pivot stage. I haven't needed to use this stage much in the past and I wanted someone to explain one of the parameters that can be set. The parameter is called 'group' and it is a column that can be set to Yes for one or more columns of the output side of a pivot.

I have read the pivot.pdf and it doesn't even show this column?? (The only context help shows it, but doesn't say anything about it) I see the key column and I assume that is the column that determines which columns are constant.

So...can someone please answer these:

1) What is the group column used for? when should it be used?

2) Is the 'Key' column the actual determiner of which columns are constant in the pivot output?

Thanks a bunch everyone!

[chulett]

Greetings! And welcome. :D

1) What is the group column used for? when should it be used?

One of the wonders of using a common 'widget' - not all columns are used in all circumstances. In this particular stage, that column has no function.

2) Is the 'Key' column the actual determiner of which columns are constant in the pivot output?

Yup.

[crogerson@dbworks-tech.co]

Thanks for the update.

I couldn't see any use for it, but the pivot.pdf manual shows it in a screen shot but never mentions that it has no function.

cheers