System and method for constructing generic analytical database applications

A method for categorizing data values contained within a column within a database table, said method comprising the steps of:

• determining a number of distinct values contained within said database column;
• creating a data category for each one of said distinct values when said number of distinct values is not greater than a predetermined maximum number of allowed value categories;
• creating a data category for each one of a plurality of most common values and an additional category to include all values not included in any one of said plurality of most common values when said number of distinct values is greater than said predetermined maximum number of allowed value categories and the number of values not included in any one of said plurality of most common values is not greater than a predetermined number of allowed additional values;
• and
• creating a plurality of data categories, each one of said data categories including one of a plurality of value ranges when said number of distinct values is greater than said first predetermined maximum number of allowed value categories and the number of values not included in any one of said plurality of most common values is greater than a predetermined number of allowed additional values.