Cube-based percentile calculation
By dividing data entries among multiple data collections, a data collection comprising a data entry associated with a requested percentile can be determined with reference to the number of data entries within each collection. Initially, the range of values corresponding to the identified data collection can be presented as the value of the requested percentile. Should further detail be required, the value for a requested percentile can be refined by averaging the range, linearly, or otherwise, extrapolating estimated values for the data entries within the identified data collection, or sorting the actual entries according to their values. A relational database can maintain the data entries, each comprising values along one or more dimensions, and an OLAP engine component can maintain a counting of the data entries within the defined data collections.
Microsoft Corporation
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G06F Y10S
inventional additional
Chien-Shen Richard J
Chang Smith