Abstract:
Data visualization is one of the major issues of database research and OLAP,
being a decision support technology, is clearly in the center of this effort.
Still, so far, visualization has not been incorporated in the abstraction
levels of DBMS architecture (conceptual, logical, physical), neither has it
been formally treated in this context. In this paper we start by reconsidering
the separation of the aforementioned abstraction levels to take visualization
into consideration. Then, we present the Cube Presentation Model (CPM), a novel
presentational model for OLAP screens. The proposal lies on the fundamental
idea of separating the logical part of a data cube computation, from the
presentational part of the client tool. Then, CPM can be naturally mapped on
the Table Lens, which is an advanced visualization technique from the
Human-Computer Interaction area, particularly tailored for cross-tab reports.
Based on the particularities of Table Lens, we propose automated proactive
support to the user for the interaction with an OLAP screen. Finally, we
discuss implementation and usage issues in the context of an academic prototype
system (CubeView) that we have implemented.
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