Characterization of hierarchies and some operators in OLAP environment

ABSTRACT

Recently numerous proposals for modelling and querying Multidimensional Databases (MDDB) are proposed. Among the still open problems there is a rigorous classification of the different types of hierarchies. In this paper we propose and discuss some different types of hierarchies within a single dimension of a cube. These hierarchies divide in different levels of aggregation a single dimension. Depending on them, we discuss the characterization of some OLAP operators which refer to hierarchies in order to maintain the data cube consistency. Moreover, we propose a set of operators for changing the hierarchy structure. The issues discussed provides modelling flexibility during the scheme design phase and correct data analysis.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
      H.2.8 Database applications
          Subjects: Spatial databases and GIS

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT

General Terms:
Design, Management