The fundamentals of an OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) system revolve around its ability to

facilitate complex data analysis and provide insights through a multidimensional approach. Here are
the key components and principles that define OLAP systems:

1. Multidimensional Data Model: OLAP systems are built on a multidimensional data model,
allowing users to view and analyze data from multiple perspectives (dimensions). Common
dimensions include time, geography, product categories, and customer segments. This model
enables operations like slicing, dicing, rolling up, and drilling down through data.

2. OLAP Cubes: Data in OLAP systems is often organized into cubes, which are multidimensional
arrays that store aggregated data. Each cell in the cube represents a measure (fact) related to
the dimensions. This structure allows for fast retrieval and analysis of data.

3. Data Aggregation: OLAP systems pre-calculate and store aggregated data, which speeds up
query response times. This is particularly useful for complex queries that involve
summarizing large datasets.

4. User-Friendly Interface: OLAP tools typically provide intuitive interfaces that allow users to
manipulate data easily through point-and-click or drag-and-drop functionalities. This
accessibility enables non-technical users to perform analyses without needing extensive
programming knowledge.

5. Support for Complex Queries: OLAP systems are designed to handle complex analytical
queries efficiently. They allow users to perform operations such as trend analysis,
forecasting, and what-if scenarios, which are essential for strategic decision-making.

6. Data Integration: OLAP systems can integrate data from various sources, including relational
databases, data warehouses, and external data sources. This integration provides a
comprehensive view of the organization's data.

7. Performance Optimization: OLAP systems are optimized for fast query performance, even as
the volume of data and the number of dimensions increase. Techniques such as indexing,
caching, and partitioning are often employed to enhance performance.

8. Multiuser Support: OLAP systems are designed to support multiple users accessing the data
concurrently while ensuring data integrity and security. This is crucial for organizations where
various departments need to analyze data simultaneously.

9. Flexibility and Customization: Users can define their dimensions, hierarchies, and
calculations, allowing for tailored analyses that meet specific business needs.

10. Real-Time Analysis: Some OLAP systems support real-time data analysis, enabling users to
make informed decisions based on the most current data available.
The main characteristics of OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) are as follows:

1. Multidimensional Conceptual View: OLAP systems provide a dimensional and logical view of
data, allowing users to perform slice and dice operations effectively 1.

2. Multi-User Support: OLAP operations support multiple users and provide standard database
operations, including retrieval, updates, adequacy control, integrity, and security 1.

3. Accessibility: OLAP acts as a mediator between data warehouses and front-end applications,
facilitating access to data 1.

4. Storing OLAP Results: Results generated by OLAP are stored separately from the original
data sources 1.

5. Uniform Documenting Performance: The performance of OLAP systems should not

significantly degrade with an increase in the number of dimensions or database size 1.

6. Handling of Zero and Missing Values: OLAP distinguishes between zero values and missing
values to ensure accurate aggregate computations 1.

7. Interactive Query and Complex Analysis: OLAP facilitates interactive querying and complex
analysis for users, enhancing their ability to derive insights from data 1.

8. Drill Down and Roll Up Capabilities: Users can drill down for more detailed information or
roll up for aggregations along a single business dimension or across multiple dimensions 1.

9. Intricate Calculations and Comparisons: OLAP allows users to perform complex calculations
and comparisons on the data 1.

10. Meaningful Result Presentation: OLAP presents results in various meaningful formats,
including charts and graphs, to aid in data interpretation 1.
1. Relational Online Analytical Processing (ROLAP) :
ROLAP servers are placed between relational backend server and client front-end tools. It uses
relational or extended DBMS to store and manage warehouse data. ROLAP has basically 3 main
components: Database Server, ROLAP server, and Front-end tool.

Advantages of ROLAP –

 ROLAP is used for handle the large amount of data.

 ROLAP tools don’t use pre-calculated data cubes.

 Data can be stored efficiently.

 ROLAP can leverage functionalities inherent in the relational database.

Disadvantages of ROLAP –

 Performance of ROLAP can be slow.

 In ROALP, difficult to maintain aggregate tables.

 Limited by SQL functionalities.

2. Multidimensional Online Analytical Processing (MOLAP) :

MOLAP does not uses relational database to storage.It stores in optimized multidimensional array
storage. The storage utilization may be low With multidimensional data stores. Many MOLAP server
handle dense and sparse data sets by using two levels of data storage representation. MOLAP has 3
components : Database Server, MOLAP server, and Front-end tool.

Advantages of MOLAP –

 MOLAP is basically used for complex calculations.

 MOLAP is optimal for operation such as slice and dice.

 MOLAP allows fastest indexing to the pre-computed summarized data.

Disadvantages of MOLAP –

 MOLAP can’t handle large amount of data.

 In MOLAP, Requires additional investment.

 Without re-aggregation, difficult to change dimension.

3. Hybrid Online Analytical Processing (HOLAP) :

Hybrid is a combination of both ROLAP and MOLAP.It offers functionalities of both ROLAP and as well
as MOLAP like faster computation of MOLAP and higher scalability of ROLAP. The aggregations are
stored separately in MOLAP store. Its server allows storing the large data volumes of detailed
information.

Advantages of HOLAP –

 HOLAP provides the functionalities of both MOLAP and ROLAP.

 HOLAP provides fast access at all levels of aggregation.

The PDF discusses the three main types of Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) systems: ROLAP,
MOLAP, and HOLAP, detailing their architectures, advantages, and disadvantages.

1. ROLAP (Relational OLAP):

 Architecture: ROLAP servers act as intermediaries between relational

databases and front-end tools, using relational or extended DBMS to
manage data.

 Advantages:

 Can handle large amounts of data, as it relies on the underlying

RDBMS.

 Efficient data storage and leveraging of relational database

functionalities.

 Disadvantages:

 Performance can be slow due to reliance on SQL queries.

 Difficulties in maintaining aggregate tables and limited by SQL

functionalities.

2. MOLAP (Multidimensional OLAP):

 Architecture: MOLAP systems store data in optimized multidimensional

arrays (cubes) rather than relational databases.

 Advantages:

 Excellent performance for complex calculations and fast information

retrieval.

 Optimal for operations like slicing and dicing.

 Disadvantages:

 Limited in the amount of data it can handle due to pre-calculated

data cubes.

 Requires additional investment in proprietary technology.

3. HOLAP (Hybrid OLAP):

 Architecture: HOLAP combines features of both ROLAP and MOLAP, storing

detailed data in relational tables while keeping aggregations in cubes.

 Advantages:

 Provides fast access at all levels of aggregation.

 Balances disk space requirements by storing detailed records in the

relational database.

 Disadvantages:
  More complex architecture due to the integration of both ROLAP
and MOLAP.

Additionally, the document mentions other less common OLAP types, such as Web-Enabled OLAP
(WOLAP), Desktop OLAP (DOLAP), Mobile OLAP (MOLAP), and Spatial OLAP (SOLAP), each catering to
specific user needs and environments.

In summary, the choice of OLAP type depends on the specific requirements of data handling,
performance, and investment capabilities of an organization.

Describe the fundamental principles of the Types of OLAP Server.

The fundamental principles of the types of OLAP servers—ROLAP, MOLAP, and HOLAP—are based on
how they store, manage, and process data for analytical purposes. Here’s a breakdown of each type:

1. ROLAP (Relational OLAP)

o Data Storage: ROLAP uses relational databases to store data. It relies on the existing
relational database management systems (RDBMS) to handle data storage and
management.

o Data Processing: It generates SQL queries to retrieve data from the relational
database, allowing for dynamic data analysis. This means that ROLAP can handle
large volumes of data without the limitations of pre-aggregated data.

o Flexibility: ROLAP can create multiple multidimensional views of data without

restructuring the underlying data, making it flexible for various analytical needs.

o Scalability: It leverages the scalability of relational databases, allowing it to handle

large datasets effectively.

2. MOLAP (Multidimensional OLAP)

o Data Storage: MOLAP stores data in multidimensional cubes, which are optimized
for fast retrieval and analysis. The data is pre-aggregated and stored in a proprietary
format.

o Data Processing: Since calculations are performed when the cube is created, MOLAP
can provide quick responses to complex queries and calculations.

o Performance: MOLAP is generally faster than ROLAP for querying pre-calculated

data, making it suitable for operations like slicing and dicing.

o Limitations: It can struggle with very large datasets due to the constraints of cube
storage, as it requires significant memory and processing power to manage the
cubes.

3. HOLAP (Hybrid OLAP)

o Data Storage: HOLAP combines the features of both ROLAP and MOLAP. It stores
detailed data in relational databases while keeping aggregated data in
multidimensional cubes.
o Data Processing: HOLAP allows users to drill down from aggregated data in the cube
to detailed data in the relational database, providing a comprehensive view of the
data.

o Efficiency: This hybrid approach balances the need for fast access to aggregated data
with the ability to handle large volumes of detailed data without duplication.

o Complexity: The architecture of HOLAP is more complex than either ROLAP or

MOLAP alone, as it integrates both systems.