International Business Machines Corporation
Visualizing changes in a multi-dimensional dataset using three-dimensional cubes

Abstract:

A multi-dimensional dataset of discrete data, such as online analytical processing based multi-dimensional data, is received. The number of dimensions in the multi-dimensional dataset of discrete data is then identified. One or more levels of three-dimensional cubes of discrete data are then created equal to the number of dimensions in the multi-dimensional dataset divided by three rounded to the lowest positive integer. The discrete data of the one or more levels of three-dimensional cubes is encoded. A color palette is then associated with the encoded discrete data. As a result, a user is able to quantify and understand the effects to data in a multi-dimensional dataset from changes made in the system (e.g., adding/deleting/modifying business rules) in a more efficient and accurate manner.