Loading dimensions with data
A dimension is an entity that describes your business; customers and products are examples of dimensions. A dimension table, no surprises here, is a table that contains information about one or more dimensions. In this section, you will learn to load dimension tables, that is, fill dimension tables with data. The following are the topics covered:
- Learning the basics of dimensions
- Loading a time dimension
- Loading slowly changing dimensions
- Loading other kinds of dimensions
Learning the basics of dimensions
Dimensions are sets of attributes used to describe a business. A list of products along with their shape, color, or size is a typical example of dimension. Dimensions are one of the basic blocks of a data warehouse or data mart.
A dimension has the purpose of grouping, filtering, and describing data. Think of a typical report you would like to have—sales grouped by region, by customer, and method of payment that are ordered by date. The by word lets you identify potential...