Method of managing slowly changing dimensions

A method of managing slowly changing dimensions in a dimensional database, such as a dimensional data mart, is disclosed. The method consists of providing a dimension template for each dimension undergoing slow changes, which template assigns a behavior to each column of the dimension table. When a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Griffin, David Antony John, Griffiths, Peter James Lawrence, Judges, Stephen Hugh, Campbell, Nigel Anthony, Roberts, Michael David
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 25.01.2005
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Summary:A method of managing slowly changing dimensions in a dimensional database, such as a dimensional data mart, is disclosed. The method consists of providing a dimension template for each dimension undergoing slow changes, which template assigns a behavior to each column of the dimension table. When a row of dimensional data is to be delivered to the dimension table, the table is searched for a record having the key value of the row of data to be delivered. If such a record exists and if any attributes of the row to be delivered have their values changed compared with the existing record, the table is updated according to the behavior type assigned to these attributes in the dimension template, either by overwriting the existing record with the record to be delivered or by creating a new record or records.