Some embodiments provide a system that facilitates the evaluation of an equation. During operation, the system obtains one or more data-access functions to be used in the equation. Next, the system obtains an analysis context for the equation separately from the data-access functions. The analysis context may include one or more analysis parameters that specify one or more data sources and/or types of analysis to be used in evaluating the equation. Finally, the system evaluates the equation using the data-access functions and the data sources.
展开▼