Everything about Snowflake schema
Logical arrangement of computing tables in a multidimensional database
In computing, a snowflake schema or snowflake model is a logical arrangement of tables in a multidimensional database such that the entity relationship diagram resembles a snowflake shape. The snowflake schema is represented by centralized fact tables which are connected to multiple dimensions. "Snowflaking" is a method of normalizing the dimension tables in a star schema. When it is completely normalized along all the dimension tables, the resultant structure resembles a snowflake with the fact table in the middle. The principle behind snowflaking is normalization of the dimension tables by removing low cardinality attributes and forming separate tables. Wikipedia →
🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path
- Read the overview: Snowflake schemaA 5-minute orientation
- Skim a recent paper: Schema Design Trade-offs in Healthcare Analytics a Comparative Study of Star and Snowflake Models for Performance and ScalabilityInfluential work since 2022
- Pick up a classic book: Multidimensional databases and data warehousingThe most-reprinted book on the subject
- Read the landmark paper: Why is the snowflake schema a good data warehouse design?Cited 97 times
- Go sideways: Star schemaA closely related topic
- Go sideways: Dimensional modelingA closely related topic
📖 Definitions
Noun A logical arrangement of tables in a multidimensional database such that the entity relationship diagram resembles a snowflake shape.
🗂️ The subject at a glance
🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)
Why is the snowflake schema a good data warehouse design?
An improved join‐free snowflake schema for ETL and OLAP of data warehouse
Data Warehouse Design and Implementation Based on Star Schema vs. Snowflake Schema
Data Warehouse Menggunakan Snowflake Schema Pada Virtual Shop
Data Warehouse Menggunakan Snowflake Schema Pada Virtual Shop
Dynamic Environment and Snowflake Schema in Real Time Data Services
PERANCANGAN DATA WAREHOUSE PERPUSTAKAAN PERGURUAN TINGGI XYZ MENGGUNAKAN METODE SNOWFLAKE SCHEMA
Using Snowflake Schema and Bitmap Index for Big Data Warehouse Volume
🆕 Influential since 2022
📚 Books worth reading
Multidimensional databases and data warehousingChristian S. Jensen · 2010
Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.
🔗 Related topics
- Star schema In computing, the star schema or star model is the simplest style of data mart schema and is the approach most widely used to develop data warehouses and…
- Dimensional modeling Dimensional modeling is part of the Business Dimensional Lifecycle methodology developed by Ralph Kimball which includes a set of methods, techniques and…
- Fact table In data warehousing, a fact table consists of the measurements, metrics or facts of a business process. It is located at the center of a star schema or…
- Data warehouse In computing, a data warehouse (DW or DWH), also known as an enterprise data warehouse (EDW), is a system used for reporting and data analysis and is a…
- Aggregate (data warehouse) An aggregate is a type of summary used in dimensional models of data warehouses to shorten the time it takes to provide answers to typical queries on large…
- Denormalization Denormalization is a strategy used on a previously-normalized database to increase performance. In computing, denormalization is the process of trying…
- Dimensional fact model The dimensional fact model (DFM) is a graphical notation and conceptual framework used in data warehousing to visually design a dimensional model. It maps…
- Database model A database model is a type of data model that determines the logical structure of a database. It fundamentally determines in which manner data can be stored…