LeapFrogBI’s dimension templates are designed to handle a number of use cases. Below is a list of currently available templates, along with a short description of their capabilities & characteristics.
Cliff’s Notes Version – Use D1003 as your default dimension template. This template is the most advanced in capabilities and performance.
D1000 – Single Batch
Description: Create a dimension using existing PSA or Transformation components as a source. Define how each attribute’s value changes will (or will not) be tracked through time.
Use Case: Since this template does not automatically handle multiple batches you must ensure that one batch is provided as the source. This can be done by getting the latest version of each dimension record in cases where the dimension does not contain SCD2 attributes.
D1001 – Multi Batch
Description: Create a dimension using existing PSA or Transformation components as a source. Define how each attribute’s value changes will (or will not) be tracked through time. Load multiple version of dimension records (same dimension key with different effective date).
Use Case: This template automatically handles loading multiple versions of dimension records. Each version will be loaded in a batch, and batches will be loaded chronologically. This template was improved up on by D1002 which enables constraints to be added.
D1002 – Multi Batch w/ Constraints
Description: Create a dimension using existing PSA or Transformation components as a source. Define how each attribute’s value changes will (or will not) be tracked through time. Load multiple version of dimension records (same dimension key with different effective date). This template allows for SCD2 attributes to exist along with constraints.
Use Case: This template automatically handles loading multiple versions of dimension records. Each version will be loaded in a batch, and batches will be loaded chronologically. This template also enable the creation of constraints to ensure referential integrity.
D1003 – Multi Batch w/ Constraints Optimized
Description: Create a dimension using existing PSA or Transformation components as a source. This template offers the same functionality as d1002 along with significant load performance improvements.
Use Case: This template automatically handles loading multiple versions of dimension records. Each version will be loaded in a batch, and batches will be loaded chronologically. This template also enable the creation of constraints to ensure referential integrity. Additionally, D1003 provides significant performance improvements over D1002 due to the manner that batches are handled during the load process.
D2000 – Existing Dimension
Description: Profile an existing dimension enabling fact components to add references to dimension keys. The dimension key & SCD fields are selected during configuration. Results in a view pointing to existing dimension.
Use Case: If you have a dimension that already exists, then there is no reason to recreate it. Simply profile the existing dimension and start using it just as if it was created in LeapFrogBI. Fact tables will be able to lookup foreign key values by using this existing dimension.
D3000 – Date Dimension
Description: Generate a date dimension by selecting the dimension interval, start & stop dates (dynamic or static), and related attributes. Optionally, use a smartkey for the date dimension primary key.
Use Case: Most dimensional models include a date dimension. This simple template will enable you to create a data dimension including standard attributes as well as custom defined attributes in minutes.
