BusinessObjects Context

What joins are to be included in a BusinessObjects Context?

1.      Any join that links a dimension table directly to the centerpiece fact table (in other words the dimension participates directly in the fact table – the surrogate key for the dimension is a foreign key in the fact table).

2.      Any join that links a dimension with another dimension and the dimension at the lowest grain participates directly in the centerpiece fact table. This is typically a short-cut join that will allow clients to run dimension only queries.

3.      Any join that links a table (floater/outrigger) with a dimension that participates directly in the centerpiece fact table. The floater/outrigger table is typically at a lower grain then the fact table and therefore cannot participate directly with the fact without disturbing the grain of the fact table.

4.      Any join that links a fact table to the centerpiece fact table where the non-centerpiece fact table is acting as a bridge table for the express purpose of navigating from one “Star” to another.

5.      If condition four exists, any join that links a dimension/table (directly or indirectly through dimension) to the non-centerpiece fact table (bridge table).

6.      A recursive join applied to any of the above-mentioned tables.