What is a Dimensional Model?

This article introduces the concept of a dimensional model in data analysis. It starts by explaining the fundamental components of data: measurements (numbers/classifications) and their descriptions (context like who, what, when, where, why, how). The author then deconstructs the term 'dimensional model' by first defining 'model' as a representation that portrays general concepts in an ideal way for understanding patterns, and then 'dimension' as characteristics or qualities (like length, width, depth) that provide context. The article aims to clarify how dimensional models help humans see and interpret data patterns, making it relevant for those in data engineering, analytics, and IT.