title: How can I Understand Time Dimension intuitively in Data Warehouse
body: <p>I am new to dimensional modelling and it confuses the hell out of me. Hope someone can help me understand it. I will say an example. My shift table is below</p>
  
  <pre><code>shift_date |shift_status|request_id|Hrs_worked
  -----------------------------------------
   09-01-2011|Filled      |8899      |5.5
  21-01-2011 |Cancelled   |6677      |6
  22-01-2011 |Filled      |7766      |2.5
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>and so on it goes..
  This is essentially the table from where the fact table will read.</p>
  
  <p>I want to create a Time dimension table. I am using sql developer.So my question is, should I only include the dates contained in the shift_date column? or should i develop a script to include each day of 2011? I will be doing analysis to see how many shifts were cancelled each month, how many filled each quarter etc. If anyone can help me understand the time dimension intuitively that will be great.</p>