hi

can someone please explain to me how a Dimension / Fact database design works?

thanks

In just the one post??

It's a data wharehousing term where the tables are in a star schema for the relationships.
The "facts" table contains the actual data and the dimension tables contain the contexts for the facts.

Having a read through the Tek-Tips Data warehousing forum might give more insight

thanks chris

A few questions:

1) We have numerous fact tables with surrogate keys which reference just one dimensional surrogate key. How does this work?

2) Are the ‘facts’ feeding data TO the ‘dimensions’ (back end warehousing)? Or are the ‘Dimensions’ feeding facts to the ‘facts’ tables for lookups!?

Nb: Im very inexperienced at database design.

Im really also using this thread to get contacts for future harder questions!

Thanks kindly

I've never been involved in a data warehousing projects just have a general idea of the schemas and methodologies; But

1/ Sounds like the "snowflake" model combined with a relational lookup model

2/ Both, by the sound of it.

Any DB relationship design should start with a schema diagram showing the layout and direction of data flow

have a look at the Sybase WharehouseArchitect Manual to get the general idea of wharehouse schemas

thanks