What is the function of 'Data Flows' in Oracle Analytics Cloud?

The function of 'Data Flows' in Oracle Analytics Cloud is to automate the process of data preparation and transformation. Data flows enable users to create a series of steps that can transform raw data into a more usable format for analysis and reporting. This process often includes tasks like filtering, aggregating, joining, and enriching datasets, allowing users to prepare their data efficiently without needing to manually perform each task. By automating these processes, data flows help streamline workflows and improve productivity, ultimately leading to more accurate and timely insights derived from data.

In contrast, visualizing data patterns, storing historical data, and managing user permissions are important features of data analytics and enterprise solutions but do not reflect the core functionality of data flows specifically. Visualizations would relate more to dashboard components or analysis techniques rather than the preparation. Historical data storage is typically handled by database management systems or data warehouses, where data is retained for reporting purposes. User permissions are related to security measures in analytics but are distinct from data manipulation processes.