Data analytics terminology, defined.
What is a Semantic Layer? Definition and Examples
A semantic layer is a business logic abstraction between your data warehouse and the tools that query it. Learn how it works with YAML examples.
What Is an OLAP Cube? Definition and Modern Alternatives
An OLAP cube pre-aggregates data across multiple dimensions for fast analytical queries. Learn how the concept evolved into modern semantic layers and pre-aggregation caches.
What Is Conversational Analytics? Definition and How It Works
Conversational analytics lets users query data in natural language. Learn how it works, why raw text-to-SQL falls short, and how semantic layers make it trustworthy.
What is Embedded Analytics? Definition for B2B SaaS
Embedded analytics integrates data visualizations directly into your software product. Learn what B2B teams need to ship customer-facing analytics.
What is MCP (Model Context Protocol)?
MCP is an open protocol that standardizes how AI agents connect to external data sources. Learn how data teams use it for governed metric access.
What is Metric Governance? Definition and Why It Matters
Metric governance is the practice of defining, versioning, and enforcing business metric definitions across an organization. Learn why it matters for data teams.
What is Pre-Aggregation? Definition and Performance Impact
Pre-aggregation materializes commonly-queried aggregations into summary tables ahead of time. Learn when to use it and how it reduces query latency.
What is RBAC (Role-Based Access Control)?
RBAC assigns data access permissions based on roles rather than individual users. Learn how it works for analytics, multi-tenancy, and AI agent governance.
What is Text-to-SQL? Definition, Limits, and Alternatives
Text-to-SQL converts natural language into SQL queries using an LLM. Learn why it fails in production and how semantic layers provide a governed alternative.