Please start any new threads on our new site at https://forums.sqlteam.com. We've got lots of great SQL Server experts to answer whatever question you can come up with.

 All Forums
 SQL Server 2008 Forums
 Analysis Server and Reporting Services (2008)
 What does an SSAS cube do...

Author  Topic 

mikebird
Aged Yak Warrior

529 Posts

Posted - 2012-10-18 : 09:07:12
at all, apart from linking tables together, using SQL?

Fact table, dimensions, measures... grouping...

SQL syntax has rollup & cube already

I prefer thinking of tables, linking carefully, with the right joins, grouping, etc. Selecting what you want.

My take on SSAS is some clever, appealing wizard feature

Tell me if I'm wrong, and if it's important to use data mining...

Can we just do everything without using SSAS?

Same for SSIS, which I do use. I like to bulk load flat files, and to all the work to select what I want to see, using T-SQL. Of course, by selectively loading via all SSIS filters, and playing with input/output icons... could save time and avoid loading redundant data, and having a package. There is an icon for Execute SQL

But I'd rather play and investigate using the power of SQL queries only, as the way I don't want to use Excel formulae.

SSRS & SSIS are OK

But SSAS seems a dressed-up wizard to point-and-click on pretty graphics

Can we do everything with data we have, just using T-SQL, to manipulate, delete rows & columns, creating views, SPs, parameters? Adding tables... What's special about SSAS?
   

- Advertisement -