Four different elements comprise the Data Source:
- Dimensions
- Measures
- Sets
- Parameters
Dimensions and Measures are mandatory in Tableau. You'll always find them. They have at least one field, and that field has a data type.
It's essential to understand the difference between Dimensions and Measures. Everything is explained in Chapter 2, The Tableau Core.
Sets and parameters are your creation. A Data Source can have no sets and no parameters. Sets are explained in the section Groups, Sets, and Bins, and there is a focus on parameters in Chapter 11, Analytics and Parameters.
Let's continue with an overview of the different data types.