Dimensions and Attributes

Dimensions

Architect uses the term dimension in its common multidimensional meaning: a category or classification of information in a database. For example, a database can have seven dimensions: Schedule, Period, Year, Version, Product, Unit, and Currency..

Dimensions in Architect are distinguished as consolidating and non-consolidating.

A consolidating dimension is a dimension in which members' values are added together to create increasingly higher and higher-level views of the business. For example, Period is usually a consolidating dimension; weeks are consolidated into months, quarters, and years. The Unit dimension is usually a consolidating dimension; stores are consolidated into regions and then into a total.

A non-consolidating dimension is a dimension in which members are not added together to create higher-level views of the business. The Version and Currency dimensions are non-consolidating. To further describe dimensions, the term structure dimension is used. A structure dimension is a consolidating dimension that is not a Period dimension. Examples of structure dimensions are Product, Customer, and Unit.

Architect applications include starter databases that serve as a starting point for creating a database. The starter database dimensions can be renamed. In some applications, dimensions can be added and/or deleted by the administrator.

It is a system requirement that the Period dimension must be present but can be renamed. Other applications have additional required dimensions.

Typically, when you begin customizing the starter database structure, you start by modifying its dimensions to suit your business requirements.

For more information, see Dimensions.

Attributes

Attributes are assigned at the group level. After groups have been created and populated with members, the next step is to assign attribute values to each member.

Attributes are features that are common to many members of a dimension. For example, schedules may have attributes such as account type, natural sign, and precision. Attributes define key information about a group. For example, key information about a unit includes class and currency.

In Architect, you cannot add or delete attributes.