140 Business Intelligence Certification Guide
contained in the database table or tables on
which it is defined.
data field. In a database table, the intersection
from table description and table column where
the corresponding data is entered.
data format. There are different kinds of data
formats, for example, database tables, database
views, pipes, or flat files.
data table. A data table, regardless of the data
format it contains.
data type. There are different kinds of Intelligent
Miner data types, for example, discrete numeric,
discrete nonnumeric, binary, or continuous.
dense. A multi-dimensional database is dense if
a relatively high percentage of the possible
combinations of its dimension members contain
data values. This is the opposite of sparse.
derived data. Deriveddataisproducedby
applying calculations to input data at the time the
request for that data is made, i.e., the data has
not been pre-computed and stored on the
database. The purpose of using derived data is to
save storage space and calculation time,
particularly for calculated data that may be
infrequently called for or that is susceptible to a
high degree of interactive personalization by the
user. The tradeoff is slower retrievals.
derived members. Derived members are
members whose associated data is derived data.
detail member. A detail member of a dimension
is the lowest level number in its hierarchy.
dimension. A dimension is a structural attribute
of a cube that is a list of members, all of which
are of a similar type in the user's perception of
the data. For example, all months, quarters,
years, etc., make up a time dimension; likewise
all cities, regions, countries, etc., make up a
geography dimension. A dimension acts as an
index for identifying values within a
multi-dimensional array. If one member of the
dimension is selected, then the remaining
dimensions in which a range of members (or all
members) are selected defines a sub-cube. If all
but two dimensions have a single member
selected, the remaining two dimensions define a
spreadsheet (or a "slice" or a "page"). If all
dimensions have a single member selected, then
a single cell is defined. Dimensions offer a very
concise, intuitive way of organizing and selecting
data for retrieval, exploration and analysis.
drill down/up. Drilling down or up is a specific
analytical technique whereby the user navigates
among levels of data ranging from the most
summarized(up)tothemostdetailed(down).
The drilling paths may be defined by the
hierarchies within dimensions or other
relationships that may be dynamic within or
between dimensions. For example, when viewing
sales data for North America, a drill-down
operation in the Region dimension would then
display Canada, the eastern United States and
the Western United States. A further drill- down
on Canada might display Toronto, Vancouver,
Montreal, etc.
F
field. A set of one or more related data items
grouped for processing. In this document, with
regard to database tables and views,
field is
synonymous with
column.
file. A collection of related data that is stored and
retrieved by an assigned name.
file name. (1) A name assigned or declared for a
file. (2) The name used by a program to identify a
file.
flat file. (1) A one-dimensional or
two-dimensional array; a list or table of items. (2)
A file that has no hierarchical structure.
formatted information. An arrangement of
information into discrete units and structures in a
manner that facilitates its access and processing.
Contrast with
narrative information.
function. Any instruction or set of related
instructions that perform a specific operation.