We will tell you everything you need about the multidimensional database in this article, such an important tool for online data management. Stay so you know more about it!
What is a multidimensional database?
An multidimensional databaseIt is a kind of optimized data "warehouse", compared to the original ones; This multidimensional form is used mainly for the creation of OLAP applications, since they offer a more efficient and easy way to manage the information.
As can be seen in the main image of this article, one of the most common OLAP forms that a multidimensional database, is the cube, known as «OLAP Cube». This way of managing data is much better than conventional SQL.
If you want to know more about the database, especially MySQL and what types of data can be managed; We then recommend that you visit the following link below: MySQL Features.
Characteristics or attributes of this model
This type of multidimensional model, in addition to being more efficient, also turns out to be a more widespread model than the original models; as for how to store all the information. Among the different attributes, which we can mention of this type of multidimensional model, we have the following:
- The first attribute, we had already mentioned it before and is its relationship with OLAP applications; It is possible to view this data in a multidimensional way or all the content in a single table.
- For each data that is stored in the database, new columns or fields will be created automatically, in the corresponding dimension.
- The form that the data takes, which is used for multidimensional models, is that of a cube (in case OLAP tools are used, as mentioned above) or a hypercube, also known as a tesseract.
Image of a hypercube or tesseract.
Advantages of multidimensional databases over relational ones
This multidimensional model is by far better than conventional SQL data models; It should be noted that the latter serve as a creation for the first type of model. This is so, because the multidimensional data model is much more versatile when we want to make a query.
While for SQL queries, the statements (given expressions or commands) must be concise and clear; in such a way that the results that the database gives us, is the most convenient. With the multidimensional database, We can "extract" specific information that we want, without much effort; in addition, to be able to carry out several queries without problems, in the opposite case to SQL, where they have to be carried out one by one.
The only disadvantage that the multidimensional model has, compared to SQL models, is the modification of data; that is, while the last type of model, we can modify the information and the structure as many times as we want, it will change automatically without problems. In the case of the multidimensional model, if we want to make any changes or modifications, it is necessary to do everything from the beginning; since it does not allow the change of structure, once carried out.
Example on the advantages of this multidimensional model
To be more specific with the previous section of the article, let's imagine that we have the data of a certain sale: products sold, places where they were sold, prices of each product, times (or periods of time) in which these products were sold and any other relevant data. So we want to know some specific information, such as the locations and prices of each product; and that these are shown in a spreadsheet, in addition, to be able to make comparisons.
Whereas for SQL relational database, this is impossible, with the multidimensional databaseIt is possible that each piece of data is assigned a different attribute; In this way, it is not a set of all kinds of information, but each one is treated independently. Due to this independence, it is easy to access each specific data that we want, without any inconvenience; In addition, each one can be equally subdivided, to make it even more specific.
Other additional advantages over multidimensional database in the business world
With this model, we have an infinite number of ways to access the data we want, either in a general way, or in specific cases, as in the previous example. We can carry out any type of query, be it very simple or quite complex; we will always obtain the best results, with the greatest efficiency and effectiveness possible.
With this type of model, we can also generate reports of all the data that is saved; so that we can improve, with respect to the competitive businesses that we have. We will have access to a large amount of information without any problem and not individually, so the work will be done faster; Even from this information obtained, it is possible to generate a report that helps with its analysis.
In general, as the work with this multidimensional model is greatly streamlined and optimized, in addition to the fact that we will have reports, analyzes, we will be able to have access to specific information and everything we have already mentioned; work is much easier, giving us more time to react to the competition.
We can give reports either in a very detailed way of the data or in a very generalized way, this will be at our discretion and what we decide to look for. In the following video, you can learn more about the multidimensional database.