An introduction to multidimensional data
When you first open the package in Cognos Analysis Studio, you will notice that the Insertable Objects area has a list of dimensions, hierarchies, and measures that can be added to the analysis report. The following are a couple of quick definitions for dimension, hierarchy, and measure:
Dimension: A dimension is a grouping of data that describes other data. Dimensions contain different levels with members that roll up to one or more hierarchies. For example, a sales representative can be a dimension because you could say that a sales representative has sold a certain amount or has certain accounts roll up to them.
Hierarchy: A hierarchy is the way that different dimensions roll up to one another. An easy example of a hierarchy would be time. In a time hierarchy, you can have the various days (dimensions) roll up to a month dimension. From there, the various months (dimensions) roll up to a year dimension. These rollups are levels. A level is a...
