A data warehouse, including a modeler for database modeling, and an extraction program for extracting data from the database and storing the extracted data. A reporting tool is used to make inquiries of the stored data and to format the results of the inquiries, and a single meta data catalog is coupled to the modeler, the extraction program, and the reporting tool. With the preferred embodiment of this invention, a user needs to update information only once. The meta data then drives changes in associated systems, such as the warehouse, extraction programs and reporting tools. In order to accomplish this, the meta data catalog holds enough information to control all these various part of the process.
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