Analysis Services
Dimensions
A dimension is an organized hierarchy of categories, known as levels, that describes data in data warehouse fact tables. Dimensions typically describe a similar set of members upon which the user wants to base an analysis, and they are a fundamental component of cubes. The following topics provide a basic conceptual overview of dimensions.
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Dimensions | Provides an overview of the basic concepts of dimensions |
| Dimension Structure | Describes structural elements of dimensions |
| Dimension Storage Modes | Describes the differences in how dimensions are stored and settings to determine the dimension storage mode |
| Dimension Processing | Provides information about the methods available for processing dimensions |
| Dimension Hierarchies | Provides information about the different ways dimension members can be positioned relative to each other |
| Ragged Dimension Support | Contains information about how Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000 Analysis Services can handle missing members in relation to dimension hierarchies |
| Dimension Characteristics | Describes different dimension characteristics and the dimension varieties that support them |
| Shared and Private Dimensions | Describes the basic differences between shared and private dimensions and their uses |
| Changing Dimensions | Describes changing dimensions, their uses, and requirements |
| Dependent Dimensions | Describes the creation of dependent dimensions and identifies their advantages and restrictions |
| Write-Enabled Dimensions | Describes the creation of write-enabled dimensions and identifies their advantages and restrictions |
| Balanced and Unbalanced Hierarchies | Describes and depicts differences between balanced and unbalanced hierarchies |
| Ragged Hierarchies | Details ragged hierarchies, their uses, and supported dimension varieties |
| Dimension Varieties | Describes and depicts differences between dimension varieties |
| Regular Dimensions | Provides information about regular dimensions and their variations |
| Virtual Dimensions | Describes the creation of virtual dimensions and their advantages and restrictions |
| Virtual Dimensions Created in Version 7.0 | Identifies compatibility issues between virtual dimensions created in SQL Server version 7.0 OLAP Services and SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services |
| Parent-Child Dimensions | Describes the creation of parent-child dimensions and identifies their advantages and restrictions |
| Data Mining Dimensions | Describes the creation of data mining dimensions and identifies advantages and restrictions to their use |