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aggregate storage database The database storage model
designed to support large-scale, sparsely distributed data
which is categorized into many, potentially large
dimensions. Upper level members and formulas are
dynamically calculated, and selected data values are
aggregated and stored, typically with improvements in
overall aggregation time.
aggregate view A collection of aggregate cells based on the
levels of the members within each dimension. To reduce
calculation time, values are pre-aggregated and stored as
aggregate views. Retrievals then start from aggregate view
totals and add up from there.
aggregation The process of rolling up and storing values in
an aggregate storage database; the stored result of the
aggregation process.
aggregation script In aggregate storage databases only, a
file that defines a selection of aggregate views to be built into
an aggregation.
alias An alternative name. For example, for a more easily
identifiable column descriptor you can display the alias
instead of the member name.
alias table A table that contains alternate names for
members.
alternate hierarchy A hierarchy of shared members. An
alternate hierarchy is based upon an existing hierarchy in a
database outline, but has alternate levels in the dimension.
An alternate hierarchy allows the same data to be seen from
different points of view.
ancestor A branch member that has members below it. For
example, the members Qtr2 and 2006 are ancestors of the
member April.
appender A Log4j term for destination.
application (1) A software program designed to run a
specific task or group of tasks such as a spreadsheet program
or database management system. (2) A related set of
dimensions and dimension members that are used to meet
a specific set of analytical and/or reporting requirements.
application currency The default reporting currency for
the application.
Application Migration Utility A command-line utility for
migrating applications and artifacts.
area A predefined set of members and values that makes up
a partition.
arithmetic data load A data load that performs operations
on values in the database, such as adding 10 to each value.
artifact An individual application or repository item; for
example, scripts, forms, rules files, Interactive Reporting
documents, and financial reports. Also known as an object.
asset account An account type that stores values that
represent a company's assets.
attribute Characteristics of a dimension member. For
example, Employee dimension members may have
attributes of Name, Age, or Address. Product dimension
members can have several attributes, such as a size and
flavor.
attribute association A relationship in a database outline
whereby a member in an attribute dimension describes a
characteristic of a member of its base dimension. For
example, if product 100-10 has a grape flavor, the product
100-10 has the Flavor attribute association of grape. Thus,
the 100-10 member of the Product dimension is associated
with the Grape member of the Flavor attribute dimension.
Attribute Calculations dimension A system-defined
dimension that performs these calculation operations on
groups of members: Sum, Count, Avg, Min, and Max. This
dimension is calculated dynamically and is not visible in the
database outline. For example, using the Avg member, you
can calculate the average sales value for Red products in New
York in January.
attribute dimension A type of dimension that enables
analysis based on the attributes or qualities of dimension
members.
attribute reporting A reporting process based on the
attributes of the base dimension members. See also base
dimension.
attribute type A text, numeric, Boolean, date, or linked-
attribute type that enables different functions for grouping,
selecting, or calculating data. For example, because the
Ounces attribute dimension has the type numeric, the
number of ounces specified as the attribute of each product
can be used to calculate the profit per ounce for that
product.
448 Glossary