Method and apparatus for accessing multidimensional data

摘要

A method of indexing data in a multidimensional database includes creating a multidimensional logical access model comprising a dimensionally hierarchical index tree, creating a multidimensional data storage model in which data is located in cells that are stored and retrieved in blocks, gathering data access information derived from one or more user queries of the database, determining from the data access information one or more selected sub-trees of the multidimensional logical access model that index selected cells that are likely to be accessed together, and re-ordering the structure of the one or more of selected sub-trees by either merging the selected one or more sub-trees, or re-ordering the dimensional hierarchy of the one or more selected sub-trees so that fewer branches of the index tree are required to be accessed to access the selected cells.