The present invention relates to the field of computing. More particularly, it relates to a method for performing analysis of data.
On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP) is a technology that allows end-users to retrieve data efficiently from one or more data warehouses for decision-support purposes. A data warehouse can be defined as an on-line repository of enterprise data used to support decision making OLAP transforms data warehouse data into strategic information. Data warehouses tend to be extremely largexe2x80x94hundreds of gigabytes to terabytes in size. Information in a data warehouse is usually multidimensional in nature, and end-users require the capability to view that data from a variety of perspectives.
In this milieu, aggregated and summarised data are much more important than detailed records. Queries tend to be complex and ad-hoc, often requiring computationally expensive operations such as joins and aggregation. Further complicating this situation is the fact that such queries must be performed on tables that potentially have millions of records. Moreover, the results have to be delivered interactively to the end-user who expects rapid response times.
OLAP enables end-users to gain insight into data through fast, interactive views of information. As well as the ability to answer xe2x80x9cwho?xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cwhat?xe2x80x9d questions they have ability to answer xe2x80x9cwhat if?xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cwhy?xe2x80x9d
Given these characteristics and the consequent processing requirements, it is clear that there must be ongoing development emphasis in OLAP systems in the area of query processing and response times. Processing is critical in such an environment, and any measures that improve the efficiency of processing are welcome, as they also serve to reduce the response times for the end-user.
According to the invention, there is provided a computer-based method for analyzing data comprising the steps of: at a central application platform: a) receiving from an end-user a query; b) dividing said query into a number of partial queries; c) designating said partial queries as simple or complex as appropriate; c) sending said simple queries to one or more OLAP data sources for evaluation; d) emulating the evaluation of partial queries not of the simple type; e) receiving from said OLAP data sources the results of the evaluation from step c); and f) combining the results of said evaluations and said emulation; and at one or more OLAP data sources; g) receiving from a central application platform one or more requests to evaluate simple queries; and h) transferring to said central application platform the results of evaluating said simple queries.