Domain/Mapping Model: A Novel Data Warehouse Data Mode

Abstract

In order for a data warehouse to be able to adequately fulfill its integrative and historical purpose, its data model must enable the appropriate and consistent representation of the different states of a system. In effect, a DW data model, representing the physical structure of the DW, must be general enough, to be able to consume data from heterogeneous data sources and reconcile the semantic differences of the data source models, and, at the same time, be resilient to the constant changes in the structure of the data sources. One of the main problems related to DW development is the absence of a standardized DW data model. In this paper a comparative analysis of the four most prominent DW data models (namely the relational/normalized model, data vault model, anchor model and dimensional model) will be given. On the basis of the results of [1] a, the new DW data model (the Domain/Mapping model-DMM) which would more adequately fulfill the posed requirements is presented.