Getting Started With DAZL

general

slug: tutorial-getting-started-with-dazl

Welcome

DAZL is a pipeline-based analytics language that turns raw data into insight. Using human-readable YAML, you define steps that extract, transform, analyze, and visualize your data — all in one workflow.

This guide walks you through your first DAZL script using sample data, so you can see how DAZL works together with nollejBase to store insights and results.

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Core Concepts

Before diving into code, here are the key ideas:

• Pipeline-Based: DAZL executes steps sequentially; each step transforms your data or produces results.
• Steps: Over 30 specialized steps exist (load, loadInline, freq, calculate, cube, chart, dashboard, etc.).
• Virtual Warehouse: nollejBase stores summaries and analytical results, keeping raw data in place.
• Readable YAML: Scripts are declarative, easy to read, and maintain.

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Your First Script

Here’s a minimal DAZL workflow using inline sample data:

steps:
  - loadInline:
      data:
        - {region: "North", product: "Widget", price: 10, quantity: 5}
        - {region: "North", product: "Gadget", price: 15, quantity: 2}
        - {region: "South", product: "Widget", price: 10, quantity: 3}
        - {region: "East",  product: "Widget", price: 10, quantity: 7}

  - calculate:
      assign:
        total: "$price * $quantity"

  - freq:
      columns: [region]

  - chart:
      type: bar
      x_axis: region
      y_axis: total

Step-by-Step Explanation

1. loadInline – Loads the dataset defined directly in the script using compact inline objects.
2. calculate – Creates a new column total by multiplying price and quantity.
3. freq – Counts the number of rows per region.
4. chart – Generates a bar chart showing the frequency of each region.

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Running Your Script

You can run this script:

• Via nollejBase interface: Paste it into the DAZL editor and execute.
• Command-line: Use DAZL’s CLI to run scripts and store results in nollejBase.
• Automated pipelines: Schedule or trigger scripts to process data on demand.

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Viewing Results in nollejBase

• Frequency tables: Automatically saved in nollejBase.
• Charts: Embed in dashboards, reports, or export.
• Reusable insights: All summaries can be reused in other DAZL scripts or reports.

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Next Steps

• DAZL Language Reference Guide reference
• Understanding nollejBase tutorial
• Recipes Table Of Contents reference

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Tips for Beginners

• Keep steps simple and sequential — easier to debug.
• Start with small datasets (loadInline) before connecting to live data.
• Use descriptive column names for clarity in scripts and dashboards.