Hi,

I want to know that what is the difference between OLAP and Normal Databases. Actually that i was question which was asked to me during an interview. I answered but now i want to discuss it here.

So according to you people what is the difference ... Between OLAP and a simple Relational Databases.

OLAP is designed using a dimensional model

RDB is designed using normalized model

OLAP is sometimes implemented using proprietary technology, sometimes using relational database

note that it is quite possible (although not always efficient) to perform OLAP "online analytical processing" on a relational database which is designed for OLTP "online transaction processing"