Which of the following steps is required before creating an information link?

An information link is a predefined database query stored in the TIBCO Spotfire library. The entire process of creating an information link begins with establishing a connection to the underlying database. This is accomplished by setting up a data source in the Information Designer tool. Without a configured data source, Spotfire has no access to the database schema, and therefore, it is impossible to define any of the subsequent elements required for an information link, such as columns, joins, or filters. The data source is the foundational prerequisite upon which all other information model elements are built.

A. Create Columns: Creating column elements is a necessary step, but it can only be performed after a data source has been set up to expose the available tables and columns.

B. Create Join: Creating a join is an optional step, only required if the information link needs to retrieve data from two or more related tables.

D. Create Multiple Columns: This is a specific instance of creating columns and is subject to the same prerequisite of having a data source configured first.

E. Create Filter: Creating a filter is an optional step used to apply conditions (a WHERE clause) to the query; it is not a mandatory prerequisite.

1. TIBCO Spotfire® Information Designer User's Guide

Version 12.0

Chapter: "Workflow in Information Designer"

Page 10. The documentation explicitly outlines the creation process: "The first thing you must do is to set up one or more data sources. Once a data source is in place

you can start creating the column

join and filter elements that will be the building blocks of your information links." This confirms that setting up a data source is the initial

required step.

2. TIBCO Spotfire® Analyst User's Guide

Version 12.0

Chapter: "Adding Data Connections"

Section: "What is an Information Link?". This section explains that information links are based on data sources that have been set up in Information Designer. It states

"An information link is a database query

specified in the Information Designer... It is built from building blocks such as columns and filters

which have been created from an underlying data source." This reinforces that the data source is the origin for all other components.