When integrating existing tables there may not be a clear decision as to which table type to use. As a guideline, the following groupings can be considered.
Temporary tables:
- Load tables
- Stage tables
Permanent tables:
- Dimension tables
- Fact tables
- Aggregate tables
Although these table groups have very distinct names in terms of data warehousing, they do not impose any restrictions on the types of tables they contain. The table groupings are most relevant in the automatic generation of procedures, and in the sequencing for the scheduler.
Typically a mapping table may be stored in the Dimension table group.