Jan 15, 2016
In LookML, a measure is a summary or aggregate computation. The model below is really simple. We've just added a couple of measures: name count and total population. Now we should be able to answer lots of pretty basic questions about names.
Note: The code added in each step could be added to the view in Step 0. For this series of articles, we will instead use Looker's extend functionality to extend the prior step's view and then add new dimensions and measures. This enables us to just focus on the new functionality added for the current step.
#
# Add some very basic computations to
# calculate the number of different names
# the total size of the population
# make a new view, names_step_1
view: names_step_1 {
# use all the fields in names_step_0
# and add or change the following fields
extends: [names_step_0]
# number of Different Names
measure: name_count {
type: count_distinct
sql: ${name} ;;
drill_fields: [name, total_population]
}
# sum the populations
measure: total_population {
type: sum
sql: ${number} ;;
}
}
All of the queries below can be created by Exploring from here. Select dimensions and measures, add filters and bonk the 'Run Button'.
Notice that we have to go down to the 6th name to find a common female name.
Yes, and you can see the baby boom too.
Girl names, by a wide margin.
Here is a simple widget that lets you compare names. CHANGE the Filters and see what you can learn about names.
Here's a list of all of the steps: