title: Database - fact table and dimension table
body: <p>When reading a book for business objects, I came across the term- fact table and dimension table. Is this the standard thing for all the database that they all have fact table and dimension table or is it just for business object design? I am looking for an explanation which differentiates between two and how they are related.</p>
  
  <p>Edited:</p>
  
  <p>Why cannot a query just get the required data from the fact table? What happens if all the information are stored in one fact table alone? What advantages we get by creating  a separate fact and dimension table and joining it?</p>
  
  <p>Sorry for too many questions at a time but I would like to know about the inter-relations and whys.</p>