Types of element

The four types of element are:

  • Base elements
  • Consolidated elements
  • Rule elements
  • Strings
Base elements
T hese are at the lowest level of the dimension hierarchy, that is, they have no children. In a cube, physical data is stored in cube cell addresses that are made up of only base elements. A cube cell that contains one or more consolidated or rules elements in its cell address, is a calculated cell and cannot store an item of data. The values of these cells are calculated from data in base cells.
Consolidated elements
These are used to create the dimension hierarchy. A consolidated element is a parent, containing other children (base, consolidated or rules elements) as its components. The sum of these elements is the value of the consolidated element. You cannot enter data into a cube cell which contains a consolidated element in its address.
Rule elements
Like consolidated elements, rules elements are calculated elements. However, they can perform more complex operations on their components than simple addition. Any cube cell that has a rules element in its address, calculates its value. You cannot enter data into a cube cell which contains a rules element in its address.
Strings
Strings are used to define cube cells that will contain strings rather than numbers. Any cube cell that has a string in its cell address is defined as a string cell. String cells are added up in any consolidation or calculation paths. It is therefore possible to enter data into a cell that has a string and one or more consolidated or rules elements in its cell address.