What is the purpose of a calculation view in SAP HANA?

A calculation view in SAP HANA serves the primary purpose of performing complex calculations on data. This type of view allows users to define advanced calculations and aggregations, enabling the combination of data from different sources and applying various logical operations.

Calculation views are particularly useful for scenarios where users need to synthesize data from multiple tables or perspectives. They can include sophisticated calculations involving time series, measures, or even complex data transformations that go beyond standard queries. By leveraging calculation views, users can create a flexible and optimized analytical layer that meets specific reporting requirements without altering the underlying raw data.

The other options highlight functionalities that are not central to the purpose of calculation views. For instance, while reports can be generated based on the data provided by calculation views, the generation of reports itself is not the primary function of a calculation view. Instead, it focuses more on data manipulation and aggregation to prepare it for reporting or further analysis. Similarly, storing raw data is handled by the data layer, and execution of external procedures pertains to integration with external systems or processes, which is outside the realm of what calculation views are designed for.