Operators for Multidimensional Aggregate Data

In this chapter the author proposes the different approaches for defining operators able to manipulate this multidimensional structure. In particular, he initially considers operators for multidimensional aggregate data which extend relational algebra and relational calculus (the so-called enlarged relational model). Then he discusses operators for multidimensional aggregate data defined in a tabular environment. In both the cases the author defines such data as statistical (aggregate) data. Subsequently he introduces the operators for OLAP applications, giving a terminology correspondence between the multidimensional aggregate (statistical) databases and OLAP areas. Then he defines the fundamental operators deduced from the previous ones, which form the basic algebra for the manipulation of multidimensional aggregate data, giving their formal definitions and some explanatory examples.