Appendix: Using OLAP

OLAP (online analytical processing) is an efficient method of data analysis of information stored in a relational database.

Using OLAP you can analyze data on different dimensions, acquire result sets with subtotaled rows, and organize data into multidimensional cubes, all in a single SQL query. You can also use filters to drill down into the data, returning result sets quickly. This chapter describes the SQL/OLAP functionality that SAP Sybase IQ supports.

• About OLAP
  The analytic functions, which offer the ability to perform complex data analysis within a single SQL statement, are facilitated by a category of software technology named online analytical processing (OLAP). Its functions are shown in the following list:
• GROUP BY Clause Extensions
  Extensions to the GROUP BY clause let application developers write complex SQL statements that:
• Analytical Functions
  SAP Sybase IQ offers both simple and windowed aggregation functions that offer the ability to perform complex data analysis within a single SQL statement.
• OLAP Rules and Restrictions
  The following provides an overview for the rules and restrictions that govern OLAP functionality.
• Additional OLAP Examples
  This section provides additional examples using the OLAP functions.
• BNF Grammar for OLAP Functions
  The Backus-Naur Form grammar outlines the specific syntactic support for the various ANSI SQL analytic functions, many of which are implemented in SAP Sybase IQ.