V.E.R.A. -- Virtual Entity of Relevant Acronyms (February 2016):

OLAP
       OnLine Analytical Processing (DB)


The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

On-Line Analytical Processing
OLAP

    (OLAP) A category of database software which
   provides an interface such that users can transform or limit
   raw data according to user-defined or pre-defined functions,
   and quickly and interactively examine the results in various
   dimensions of the data.

   OLAP primarily involves aggregating large amounts of diverse
   data.  OLAP can involve millions of data items with complex
   relationships.  Its objective is to analyze these
   relationships and look for patterns, trends, and exceptions.

   The term was originally coined by Dr. Codd in 1993 with 12
   "rules".  Since then, the OLAP Council, many vendors, and
   Dr. Codd himself have added new requirements and confusion.

   Richard Creeth and Nigel Pendse define OLAP as fast analysis
   of shared multidimensional information.  Their definition
   requires the system to respond to users within about five
   seconds.  It should support logical and statistical processing
   of results without the user having to program in a 4GL.  It
   should implement all the security requirements for
   confidentiality and concurrent update locking.  The system
   must provide a multidimensional conceptual view of the data,
   including full support for multiple hierarchies.  Other
   aspects to consider include data duplication, RAM and disk
   space requirements, performance, and integration with data
   warehouses.

   Various bodies have attempted to come up with standards for
   OLAP, including The OLAP Council and the Analytical
   Solutions Forum (ASF), however, the Microsoft OLE DB for
   OLAP API is the most widely adopted and has become the de
   facto standard.

   (http://access.digex.net/~grimes/olap/).

   Usenet newsgroup: news:comp.databases.olap.

   (http://arborsoft.com/papers/finkTOC.html).

   [What's a "multidimensional conceptual view"?]

   (1996-09-24)