Named calculations allow extending an existing object to include data structures necessary for defining a dimension. The most common example is of combining the first and last name columns into a single column named as full_name. Similarly, we could concatenate the quarter and year columns to define a full description for each calendar quarter, as in Quarter 2, 2013
. If you have sufficient access to the relational database, you have an option of creating any views you need for building dimensions; this approach is favored by many data warehouse and cube developers. However, it is also plausible that you won't have permission to create or alter relational objects. There is no need to worry though; named calculations are here to help. For example, suppose you have the Employee dimension based on the DimEmployee
table, which includes the FirstName
and LastName
columns. This could be great for relational design, but you'll need to define a named calculation...
SQL Server Analysis Services 2012 Cube Development Cookbook
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
Free Chapter
Introduction to Multidimensional Data Model Design
Defining Analysis Services Dimensions
Creating Analysis Services Cubes
Extending and Customizing Cubes
Optimizing Dimension and Cube Processing
MDX
Analysis Services Security
Administering and Monitoring Analysis Services
Using Tabular Models
DAX Calculations and Queries
Performance Tuning and Troubleshooting Tabular Models
Miscellaneous Analysis Services Topics
Index
Customer Reviews