Role Playing Dimensions?

  • Kimball states that when a Fact table uses the same dimension for multiple surrogate key values (such as date) then you should use role playing dimensions. These can take the form of views over the top of a single physical dimension.

    I wanted to know if the only benefit this brings is when the end users are using the cube as these role playing dimensions are presented as individual dimensions within the cube design?

    Surely it can't play at part in looking up the surrogate key as you would simply use multiple lookups back to the dimension table based upon different fields?

  • You will need to verify this answer but I would believe depending on the implementation you could save time on maintenance and changing the dimensions. As there could be say three dimensions based on a calendar. You change the calendar and the three dimensions are affected.

    Ells

  • Thanks this sounds totally feasible

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply