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Snowflake Schema - Jenny

A snowflake schema is an extension of a star schema where dimension tables are normalized and split into multiple tables. This reduces disk space usage but can impact query performance. The snowflake schema structure resembles a snowflake with the fact table surrounded by dimension levels, which are then surrounded by additional dimension tables containing attributes. The primary tradeoff is that snowflake schemas require more maintenance effort due to additional lookup tables.

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65 views

Snowflake Schema - Jenny

A snowflake schema is an extension of a star schema where dimension tables are normalized and split into multiple tables. This reduces disk space usage but can impact query performance. The snowflake schema structure resembles a snowflake with the fact table surrounded by dimension levels, which are then surrounded by additional dimension tables containing attributes. The primary tradeoff is that snowflake schemas require more maintenance effort due to additional lookup tables.

Uploaded by

Jenny
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SNOWFLAKE SCHEMA

What is Snowflake Schema?


 Snowflake Schema in data warehouse is a logical arrangement of tables in a
multidimensional database such that the ER diagram resembles a snowflake shape.
 A Snowflake Schema is an extension of a Star Schema.
 It adds additional dimensions to the Dimensional table.
 The dimension are normalized which splits data into additional tables.
Example of Snowflake:

Characteristics of Snowflake Schema


 The main benefit of the snowflake schema it uses smaller disk space.
 Easier to implement a dimension is added to the Schema
 Due to multiple tables query performance is reduced
 The primary challenge that you will face while using the snowflake schema is that
you need to perform more maintenance efforts because of the more lookup tables.

Star Schema Vs Snowflake Schema: Key


Differences
Following is a key difference between Snowflake schema vs Star schema:

Star Schema Snowflake Schema

Hierarchies for the dimensions are stored Hierarchies are divided into separate tables.
in the dimensional table.

It contains a fact table surrounded by One fact table surrounded by dimension table
dimension tables. which are in turn surrounded by dimension table

In a star schema, only single join creates the In a star schema, only single join creates the
relationship between the fact table and any relationship between the fact table and any
dimension tables. dimension tables.

Simple DB Design. Very Complex DB Design.

Denormalized Data structure and query also Normalized Data Structure.


run faster.

High level of Data redundancy Very low-level data redundancy

Single Dimension table contains aggregated Data Split into different Dimension Tables
data.

Cube processing is faster. Cube processing might be slow because of the


complex join.

Offers higher performing queries using The Snowflake schema is represented by


Star Join Query Optimization. centralized fact table which unlikely connected
with multiple dimensions.
Tables may be connected with multiple
dimensions.

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