System and method for online analytical processing using dimension attributes and multiple hierarchies per dimension

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved mechanism accessing to a database in an OLAP system.;SOLUTION: A data model for accessing data in the relational database 312 in the OLAP system utilizes a multiple-hierarchy dimensions 326 and 328. The dimensions 326 and 328 include a set of attributes. Each attribute is bound to columns 314-324 in the relational database 312. A logical structure is defined, indicating the relationships between the attributes. Hierarchies are defined. Each hierarchy includes a sequence of attributes. A hierarchy provides a common drill-down path that a database user can utilize to access the database. A hierarchy can include a single attribute or a combination of attributes. Both the relationships between the attributes and the sequence of attributes in a hierarchy are defined independent of any restrictions associated with the database.;COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI