Understand data sources, columns, and metrics

Before you build a chart, CORE FIELD needs to know where the data comes from and what you want to measure. A source that looks similar is not enough: it must be the right source.

Pregunta real de plantaReal plant question

What do I need to analyze CPPW speed?

FuenteSource

robotic.sensor_data

TiempoTime

timestamp

MétricaMetric

CPPW

RangoRange

the period covered by the question

The shortest useful mental model

Concept	In plain language	Example
Database	The system where tables live.	Aurora MySQL
Schema	A logical folder inside the database.	robotic
Physical dataset	A table registered directly.	robotic.sensor_data
Virtual dataset	A saved SQL query that can be reused as a source.	robotic.cascada_THHN_1
Column	A value available in each record.	timestamp, CPPW, THHN_1
Metric	A rule that summarizes values.	average CPPW

Physical or virtual

Use the physical dataset when its columns already answer your question. For example, robotic.sensor_data contains the original timestamps and sensor readings.

Use a virtual dataset when you need repeatable preparation: joining tables, reshaping data, or calculating a value such as aporte before charting it.

A saved query does not copy the plant

A virtual dataset stores the SQL logic. When a chart queries it, CORE FIELD reads the data allowed by the connection again.

Recognize a source before using it

1. Open Assets → Datasets if your role allows it.
2. Search for the exact name.
3. Check the database, schema, owner, and description.
4. Open the preview and confirm that its columns match your question.
5. Identify the time column before building a time series.

The name and schema help you distinguish sources with similar columns.

Columns and metrics are not the same

• A column answers “what value exists in each row?”
• A metric answers “how should these rows be summarized?”

For CPPW, you can use the column as input and calculate an average, minimum, maximum, or count. Those operations tell different stories, so choose the one that answers your question.

Do not guess the unit

The name CPPW alone does not tell you whether it represents speed, a percentage, or another unit. Check the description agreed on by the team before labeling axes or sharing conclusions.

✓

Resultado esperadoExpected result

You can explain which source feeds the chart, which column represents time, and which calculation turns the rows into the value on screen.

If you need to prepare data with SQL, continue with your first safe query.