The Composite OLAP-Object Data Model: Removing an Unnecessary Barrier

OLAP and object data models represent different logical concepts and structures, and therefore separate database systems with different query languages were developed based on these models. We show in this paper that it is desirable and possible to combine these models to represent realistic modeling requirements. We define in this paper an OLAP-Object data model that combines the main characteristics of OLAP and Object data models in order to represent their functionalities in a common framework. We use three different types of object classes: primitive, regular and composite. In the OLAP-Object data model, primitive and regular classes which represent object structures can be used for form composite classes that represent OLAP structures. We define a query language that uses path structures to facilitate data navigation and data manipulation. The proposed language uses the concept of an anchor. An anchor is an object class (primitive, regular or composite) that is selected as a starting node from which paths structures can be formed to express queries. The power of the proposed query language is illustrated through numerous examples. The syntax and semantics of the proposed language are developed.