Is there a database schema that is apt for dynamic report generation?

For example,

you may have a report that joins on many tables, but in some software, they'll let you generate reports and customize the fields.

Do they accomplish this by generating views with all the joins and columns and thereby allowing the user to cherry pi开发者_开发百科ck the columns and conditions?

Is there a database schema that is apt for dynamic report generation?

A star schema. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_schema