Book Image

SQL Server Analysis Services 2012 Cube Development Cookbook

Book Image

SQL Server Analysis Services 2012 Cube Development Cookbook

Overview of this book

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system. As a database, it is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications. SQL Server Analysis Services adds OLAP and data mining capabilities for SQL Server databases. OLAP (online analytical processing) is a technique for analyzing business data for effective business intelligence. This practical guide teaches you how to build business intelligence solutions using Microsoft’s core product – SQL Server Analysis Services. The book covers the traditional multi-dimensional model which has been around for over a decade as well as the tabular model introduced with SQL Server 2012. Starting with comparing MultiDimensional and tabular models – discussing the values and limitations of each, you will then cover the essential techniques for building dimensions and cubes. Following on from this, you will be introduced to more advanced topics, such as designing partitions and aggregations, implementing security, and synchronizing databases for solutions serving many users. The book also covers administrative material, such as database backups, server configuration options, and monitoring and tuning performance. We also provide a primer on MultiDimensional eXpressions (MDX) as well as Data Analysis expressions (DAX) languages. This book provides you with data cube development techniques, and also the ongoing monitoring and tuning for Analysis Services.
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
SQL Server Analysis Services 2012 Cube Development Cookbook
Credits
About the Authors
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Creating a hierarchy


As with multidimensional models, hierarchies can be helpful while defining the relationship between the fields in a table. The Tabular Model allows you to add hierarchies that can be used by client tools.

How to do it…

You will need to open the diagram view (MODEL | Model View | Diagram View) in order to work with hierarchies. In this recipe, we will be using the Date table and creating a calendar and fiscal hierarchy, which are used pretty commonly, by performing the following steps:

  1. In the diagram view, you need to click on the Create Hierarchy button on the Date table. This will add a hierarchy section to the bottom of the table. You will assign a name to the hierarchy here and then drag fields to add to the hierarchy.

  2. Our hierarchy will be fairly simple. Drag the columns down to the hierarchy. You need to drag the first column directly on to the hierarchy name.

  3. Each column thereafter, you will drag and place in the preferred order of the hierarchy. I would recommend that...