Abstract: Methods and apparatus for updating a database using a multi-dimensional data model in which data corresponding to the database are organized in multi-dimensional data blocks. Each data block has summary information associated therewith corresponding to a current state of evolution of the associated data block. Dependency information is maintained in the data model which identifies data dependencies within and among the data blocks. A list of change entries identifies changes made to the data blocks and times at which the changes were made. A request to apply a change entry to a data block is received. The change entry is applied to the data block, including generating a dependency list of data blocks whose data depends directly or indirectly from the updated data block. The data blocks in the dependency list are processed in accordance with a dependency update algorithm to update the data blocks in the dependency list.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for updating a database using a multi-dimensional data model in which data corresponding to the database are organized in multi-dimensional blocks. Each block has summary information associated therewith corresponding to a current state of evolution of the associated block. Dependency information is maintained in the data model which identifies data dependencies within and among the blocks. Change information is maintained which identifies changes made to particular ones of the blocks and times at which the changes were made. The database is updated with reference to the dependency information, the summary information, and the change information. At least some of the blocks are updated without reference to all dependents thereof. In some implementations, the underlying database may be a relational database, the data from the relational database being mapped to the multi-dimensional data model.