Object documentation Star Schema Locate the document in its SAP Library structure

Structure

InfoCubes are made up of a number of InfoObjects. All InfoObjects (characteristics and key figures) are available InfoCube-independently. Characteristics relate to master data with their attributes and text descriptions.

An InfoCube consists of several InfoObjects and is structured according to the star schema. This means there is a (large) fact table that contains the key figures for the InfoCube as well as several (smaller) dimension tables which surround it. The characteristics of the InfoCube are stored in these dimensions.

An InfoCube fact table only contains key figures, in contrast to an ODS object, whose data part can also contain characteristics. The characteristics of an InfoCube are stored in its dimensions.

The dimensions and the fact table are linked to one another via abstract identification numbers (dimension IDs), which are in the key part of the particular database table. As a result, the key figures of the InfoCube relate to the characteristics of the dimension. The characteristics determine the granularity (the degree of fineness), in which the key figures are managed in the InfoCube.

Characteristics that logically belong together (district and area, for example, belong to the regional dimension) are grouped together in a dimension. By adhering to this design criterion, dimensions are to a large extent independent of each other, and dimension tables remain small with regards to data volume, which is desirable for reasons of performance. This InfoCube structure is optimized for Reporting.

The fact table and dimension tables are both relational database tables.
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Characteristics relate to master data with their attributes and text descriptions. All InfoObjects (meaning characteristics with their master data as well as key figures) are available across all InfoCubes, unlike dimensions, which represent the special organizational form of characteristics in an InfoCube.

Integration

Aggregates for the Basic InfoCube can be maintained, which provides quicker data access. Here, the InfoCube data is stored redundantly and in an aggregated form.

You can either use an InfoCube directly as an InfoProvider for reporting, or you can use it together with other InfoProviders as the basis of a MultiProvider.

See also:

Structure linkSAP Demo Cube

Checking Data Loaded into the Basic InfoCube