Meaning of system columns

Question

Hi All,

I have been trying to understand the meaning/purpose of a few system columns in the data warehouse. Particularly: EFFECTIVE_FROM_DT, EFFECTIVE_TO_DT, SRC_EFF_FROM_DT, and STC_EFF_TO_DT. I already reviewed https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E25054_01/fusionapps.1111/e16816/namingconv.htm  (section 4.6) ... but, still can't seem to grasp exactly what they are used for. Does anyone has some additional context?

OBIEE 11.1.1.9.3 (OBOA 11.1.1.10.1) - DB 12.1.0.2

Regards,

Charles

[Deleted User] · Answer

Yes, but that makes it kind of a type 2 scd if you think about it. All you'd need to do is a between-join of the facts to those dates and voila a type 2 behaviour.

Charles M · Answer

Ok, thanks Christian. I think I am understanding better it now. So, to make sure I am clear ... this has nothing to do with a slowly changing dimension (e.g. type 2), right? Like, these are not saying that this was the "time period" during which that attribute was the 'active' attribute?

Charles

[Deleted User] · Answer

It's hillarious

Anyways when you date a record as in give it a duration / time validity those are the dates governing that. First two for the validity in the DWH and latter two for the originating source system.