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Multidimensional Schema

The document describes different types of multidimensional schemas used in data warehousing. It discusses star schemas, snowflake schemas, and galaxy schemas. A star schema has one central fact table connected to multiple dimension tables. A snowflake schema extends the star schema by normalizing the dimensions across multiple tables. A galaxy schema contains multiple fact tables that share dimension tables.

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Janmejay Pant
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79 views4 pages

Multidimensional Schema

The document describes different types of multidimensional schemas used in data warehousing. It discusses star schemas, snowflake schemas, and galaxy schemas. A star schema has one central fact table connected to multiple dimension tables. A snowflake schema extends the star schema by normalizing the dimensions across multiple tables. A galaxy schema contains multiple fact tables that share dimension tables.

Uploaded by

Janmejay Pant
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Multidimensional Schema is especially designed to model data warehouse

systems. The schemas are designed to address the unique needs of very
large databases designed for the analytical purpose (OLAP).

Types of Data Warehouse Schema:

Following are 3 chief types of multidimensional schemas each having its


unique advantages.

• Star Schema
• Snowflake Schema
• Galaxy Schema

What is a Star Schema?


Star Schema in data warehouse, in which the center of the star can have
one fact table and a number of associated dimension tables. It is known as
star schema as its structure resembles a star. The Star Schema data model
is the simplest type of Data Warehouse schema. It is also known as Star Join
Schema and is optimized for querying large data sets.

In the following Star Schema example, the fact table is at the center which
contains keys to every dimension table like Dealer_ID, Model ID, Date_ID,
Product_ID, Branch_ID & other attributes like Units sold and revenue.

Example of Star Schema Diagram


Characteristics of Star Schema:
• Every dimension in a star schema is represented with the only one-
dimension table.
• The dimension table should contain the set of attributes.
• The dimension table is joined to the fact table using a foreign key
• The dimension table are not joined to each other
• Fact table would contain key and measure
• The Star schema is easy to understand and provides optimal disk
usage.
• The dimension tables are not normalized. For instance, in the above
figure, Country_ID does not have Country lookup table as an OLTP
design would have.
• The schema is widely supported by BI Tools

What is a Snowflake Schema?


Snowflake Schema in data warehouse is a logical arrangement of tables in
a multidimensional database such that the ER diagram resembles a
snowflake shape. A Snowflake Schema is an extension of a Star Schema,
and it adds additional dimensions. The dimension tables are normalized
which splits data into additional tables.

In the following Snowflake Schema example, Country is further normalized


into an individual table.
Characteristics of Snowflake Schema:
• The main benefit of the snowflake schema it uses smaller disk space.
• Easier to implement a dimension is added to the Schema
• Due to multiple tables query performance is reduced
• The primary challenge that you will face while using the snowflake
Schema is that you need to perform more maintenance efforts
because of the more lookup tables.

Star Schema Vs Snowflake Schema: Key


Differences
Following is a key difference between Snowflake schema vs Star schema:

Star Schema Snowflake Schema

Hierarchies for the dimensions are stored in the


Hierarchies are divided into separate tables.
dimensional table.

It contains a fact table surrounded by dimension One fact table surrounded by dimension table
tables. which are in turn surrounded by dimension table

In a star schema, only single join creates the


A snowflake schema requires many joins to fetch
relationship between the fact table and any
the data.
dimension tables.

Simple DB Design. Very Complex DB Design.

Denormalized Data structure and query also run


Normalized Data Structure.
faster.

High level of Data redundancy Very low-level data redundancy

Single Dimension table contains aggregated


Data Split into different Dimension Tables.
data.

Cube processing might be slow because of the


Cube processing is faster.
complex join.

Offers higher performing queries using Star Join


The Snowflake schema is represented by
Query Optimization.
centralized fact table which unlikely connected
Tables may be connected with multiple
with multiple dimensions.
dimensions.

What is a Galaxy Schema?


A Galaxy Schema contains two fact table that share dimension tables
between them. It is also called Fact Constellation Schema. The schema is
viewed as a collection of stars hence the name Galaxy Schema.

Example of Galaxy Schema


As you can see in above example, there are two facts table

1. Revenue
2. Product.

In Galaxy schema shares dimensions are called Conformed Dimensions.

Characteristics of Galaxy Schema:


• The dimensions in this schema are separated into separate
dimensions based on the various levels of hierarchy.
• For example, if geography has four levels of hierarchy like region,
country, state, and city then Galaxy schema should have four
dimensions.
• Moreover, it is possible to build this type of schema by splitting the
one-star schema into more Star schemes.
• The dimensions are large in this schema which is needed to build
based on the levels of hierarchy.
• This schema is helpful for aggregating fact tables for better
understanding.

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