What is a dimension table?

A dimension table is a database table that augments the data in a base record table mapped to a database table.

Note: Dimension tables cannot be mapped to flat files and they cannot be joined to base tables mapped to flat files. Dimension tables and their corresponding base tables must be mapped to database tables in the same physical database (that is, the same data source).

For example, a dimension table might contain demographic information based on zip code, accounts belonging to a customer, or the customer's transactions, product information, or purchase transaction details.

When you define a dimension table, you specify the key fields for joining the dimension table to the base record table.