CODEWITHSUNDEEP
sqlsql-serverdatabasedata-warehousecube
Michael_85
Michael_85

Reputation: 99

How to decide on dimension fields type

When I build my cube, what are the considerations for choosing dimension fields types, for instance customer number should I define it as string or numeric?

Thanks, Michael

Upvotes: 1

Views: 87

Answers (2)

M T Head
M T Head

Reputation: 1290

I generally put everything in string format. Date Particularly. Today your Customer number is a number. But tomorrow if someone changes source systems and business decisions it could become a string. So I generally try to setup the Data Warehouse structure to be as accommodating to business changes as possible with the least amount of data warehouse change needed.

I would then look for a data validation process to insure that the Customer Number is a number then if the business changes I can simply switch off that data validation process without changing my database structure or BI that depends on data types.

But I would also say there is no "right" answers here. It is an engineering decision with advantages and disadvantages what ever direction you go.

Upvotes: 0

indofraiser
indofraiser

Reputation: 1024

If a customer number is a number it should be numerical, there are various types and the best place to start is. http://www.w3schools.com/sql/sql_datatypes_general.asp Then come back with a specific query or test and built a base and show the code/build.

Upvotes: 1

Related Questions