Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 9-13
Role-Playing Dimensions
A role-playing dimension is a database dimension that acts as multiple di-
mensions within a cube. Instead of requiring to create two database dimen-
sions that serve different purposes, but depend on the same data source
table(s), a single database dimension can be used to create separate cube
dimensions. For example, if you have a geography dimension as a database
dimension, you can add it to a cube as Customer Geography and Employee
Geography cube dimensions. Similarly, you can have one Time dimension
called Date, and then you can add Ship Date and Received Date as cube di-
mensions. In these examples, Geography and Date dimensions are role-play-
ing dimensions because they can each serve different roles within the same
cube.
Figure 9-14
shows how the Date dimension is used as a role-playing dimen-
sion in the Adventure Works cube of the Adventure Works DW sample pro-
ject. The Date dimension plays the role of three date dimensions: Date, Ship
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