Data Warehouse Design – Star Schema Synthesis Algorithm
Data Warehouse Design – Star Schema Synthesis Algorithm

Summary/Abstract: Logical database design is a very well-understood field, with defined normal forms that solve the problems of data availability and redundancy in a simple and efficient way. Applying these normal patterns ensures efficient database design without redundant data. However, when considering the use of functional dependencies in data warehouse design, it is largely unexplored. This paper is mainly concerned with revisiting already established and well-known concepts surrounding functional dependencies, normal forms and the 3NF (Third Normal Form) synthesis algorithm. After that, emphasis is placed on demonstrating and showing how functional dependencies can greatly contribute to an efficient well-designed logical data warehouse. The biggest contribution of this work is actually proposing, i.e. defining, a new algorithm that generates a star schema based on an already defined set of functional dependencies. Although this attempt is the result of a detailed presentation, it is still only an initial effort in understanding how to define the logical design of a data warehouse using functional dependencies.

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