On-Line Analytical Processing
<database> (OLAP) A category of database software which provides an
interface such that users can transform or limit raw data according to
user-defined or pre-defined functions, and quickly and interactively examine the
results in various dimensions of the data.
OLAP primarily involves aggregating large amounts of diverse data. OLAP can
involve millions of data items with complex relationships. Its objective is to
analyze these relationships and look for patterns, trends, and exceptions.
The term was originally coined by Dr. Codd in 1993 with 12 "rules". Since then,
the OLAP Council, many vendors, and Dr. Codd himself have added new requirements
and confusion.
Richard Creeth and Nigel Pendse define OLAP as fast analysis of shared
multidimensional information. Their definition requires the system to respond to
users within about five seconds. It should support logical and statistical
processing of results without the user having to program in a 4GL. It should
implement all the security requirements for confidentiality and concurrent
update locking. The system must provide a multidimensional conceptual view of
the data, including full support for multiple hierarchies. Other aspects to
consider include data duplication, RAM and disk space requirements, performance,
and integration with data warehouses.
Various bodies have attempted to come up with standards for OLAP, including The
OLAP Council and the Analytical Solutions Forum (ASF), however, the Microsoft
OLE DB for OLAP API is the most widely adopted and has become the de facto
standard.
http://www.access.digex.net/~grimes/olap/.
Usenet newsgroup: comp.databases.olap.
http://www.arborsoft.com/papers/finkTOC.html.
[What's a "multidimensional conceptual view"?]
(1996-09-24)
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