public boolean hasPeriods(){
  List<DimensionalItemObject> dimOpts=getDimensionOptions(PERIOD_DIM_ID);
  List<DimensionalItemObject> filterOpts=getFilterOptions(PERIOD_DIM_ID);
  return !dimOpts.isEmpty() || !filterOpts.isEmpty();
}

public boolean hasPeriods ( ) { List < DimensionalItemObject > dimOpts = getDimensionOptions ( PERIOD_DIM_ID ) ; List < DimensionalItemObject > filterOpts = getFilterOptions ( PERIOD_DIM_ID ) ; return ! dimOpts . isEmpty ( ) || ! filterOpts . isEmpty ( ) ; }
indicates whether periods are present as a dimension or as a filter . if not this object is in an illegal state .
