Multidimensional Data Model
• Multidimensional Model views data in the
form of a data cube.
What is a data cube?
• A data cube allows data to be modeled and
viewed in multiple dimensions. It is defined by
dimensions and facts. mvmd, df
• Dimensions are the perspectives or entities
with respect to which an organization wants to
keep records. pe
• For example, AllElectronics create a sales data
warehouse in order to keep records of the
store’s sales with respect to the dimensions
(time, item, branch, and location).
• Each dimension may have a table associated
with it, called a dimension table.
• For example, a dimension table for item may
contain the attributes item_name, brand, and
type.
• A multidimensional data model is typically organized
around a central theme, like sales.
• This theme is represented by a fact table.
• Facts are numerical measures. Think of them as the
quantities to analyze relationships between
dimensions.
• Example of facts for a sales data warehouse include
dollars_sold (sales amount in dollars), and units_sold
(number of units sold).
• The fact table contains the names of the facts, or
measures, as well as keys to each of the related
dimension tables.
• In this 2-D representation, the sales for Vancouver are shown
with respect to the time dimension (organized in quarters) and
the item dimension (organized according to the types of items
sold).
• The fact or measure displayed is dollars_sold (in thousands).
Table: A 2-D View of sales data for AllElectronics according to the dimensions time and
item, where the sales are from branches located in the city of Vancouver. The measure
displayed is dollars_sold (in thousands)
• The 3-D data are represented as a series of 2-D
tables.
• The entity-relational data model is commonly
used in the design of relational databases,
where a database schema consists of a set of
entities and the relationships between them.
• Such a data model is appropriate for online
transaction processing.
• A data warehouse, however, requires a concise,
subject-oriented schema that facilitates online
data analysis.
• The most popular data model for a data
warehouse is a multidimensional model.
• Such a model can exist in the form of a star
schema, a snowflake schema, or a fact
constellation schema.
Star Schema
slc
• A single, large and central fact table and one table
for each dimension.
SnowFlake Schema
• Variant of star schema model.
• A single, large and central fact table and one or
more tables for each dimension.
• Dimension tables are normalized i.e. split
dimension table data into additional tables
Fact Constellation
• Multiple fact tables share dimension tables.
• This schema is viewed as collection of stars hence
called galaxy schema or fact constellation.
• Sophisticated application requires such schema.
