Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
source
an input to an operation.
star schema
tables in a database in which a single fact table is connected to multiple dimension
tables. This is visually represented in a star pattern. SAS OLAP cubes can be
created from a star schema.
surrogate key
a numeric column in a dimension table that is the primary key of that table. The
surrogate key column contains unique integer values that are generated sequentially
when rows are added and updated. In the associated fact table, the surrogate key is
included as a foreign key in order to connect to specific dimensions.
target
an output of an operation.
transformation
a metadata object that specifies how to extract data, transform data, or load data
into data stores. Each transformation that you specify in a process flow diagram
generates or retrieves SAS code. You can specify user-written code in the metadata
for any transformation in a process flow diagram.
transformation template
a process flow diagram that consists of a transformation object and one or more drop
zones for sources, targets, or both.
unique key
one or more columns that can be used to uniquely identify a row in a table. A table
can have one or more unique keys. Unlike a primary key, a unique key can contain
null values. See also primary key, foreign key.
Web service
a programming interface that enables distributed applications to communicate even
if the applications are written in different programming languages or are running on
different operating systems.