Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 MDX Step by Step (Step By Step (Microsoft)) [Paperback]

Bryan C Smith (Author), C Ryan Clay (Author), Hitachi Consulting (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 18, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0735626189 | ISBN-13: 978-0735626188 | Edition: Pap/Cdr

Teach yourself the Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) query language—one step at a time. With this practical, learn-by-doing tutorial, you’ll build the core techniques for using MDX with Analysis Services to deliver high-performance business intelligence solutions.

Discover how to:

• Construct and execute MDX queries
• Work with tuples, sets, and expressions
• Build complex sets to retrieve the exact data users need
• Perform aggregation functions and navigate data hierarchies
• Assemble time-based business metrics
• Customize an Analysis Services cube through the MDX script
• Implement dynamic security to control data access
• Develop MDX-driven reports in SQL Server Reporting Services
  
  

CD features:

• Practice exercises
• Database and code samples
• Fully searchable eBook

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bryan C. Smith is an architect with Hitachi Consulting, where he implements data warehouse solutions with SQL Server. He also leads Analysis Services and MDX training courses, participates in the Analysis Services forums on MSDN, and is coauthor of Professional SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services.

C. Ryan Clay is a solution architect for Hitachi Consulting, where he develops business solutions based on Microsoft technologies, including OLAP and MDX-based applications. Active in supporting the Microsoft business intelligence community, he’s presented at Microsoft Tech*Ed, SQL PASS, and MSDN events.

Hitachi Consulting, a division of Hitachi Ltd., is a global business and IT consulting firm serving Fortune 2000 companies. It is a leader in developing corporate training and custom solutions for Reporting Services

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press; Pap/Cdr edition (February 18, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735626189
• ISBN-13: 978-0735626188
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.9 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #582,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on mdx in market March 16, 2009

By kamran arab

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have read several other texts and I can say that none of them were complete. Some texts had good theory but lacked database sample where you could run the exact same queries, verify results and tinker a little to gain understanding. This book not only comes with a sample database (relational and dimensional), the queries and the databases actually match 100%. Learning Sql or MDX is like learning mathematics - you can't learn it just by reading, exercising the skills is essential.

Step-by-step is very effective approach for new comers so basically this book is ideal for beginners. At the same time it gives you enough details to be an advance user. This book is not for people with MDX skills already under their belt and looking for a reference book. They will be bored with simplistic approach used for beginners. I have been waiting for this book for months and I am not disappointed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A good foundation March 17, 2009

By Eldred Rivera

Format:Paperback

Brian and Ryan presented a very simple and literally step by step way to understand the fundamental syntax of MDX. In addition, the examples are good starting points to be adventurous and to try other stuff. The chapters are arranged in a very logical manner. Each chapter builds upon the knowledge picked-up from the previous one.
However, do not let Chapter 1 discourage you from continuing to explore the rest of the book. The attempt to present the wealth of business intelligence, dimensional model and data warehouse terms and structure may get to be confusing. I agree with them when they wrote that a familiarity of the concept of data warehousing is recommended. To better appreciate the whole exercise of learning MDX, a basic knowledge of Analysis Services will go a long way.

Lastly, finishing the book with a chapter on using MDX with reporting services shows the main purpose of learning MDX in the first place, provide meaningful information to the end users in a format they will appreciate.

Eldred Rivera, MCT

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars It's good to see a book on MDX from MS Press August 6, 2009

By N. Erickson

Format:Paperback

It's SQL Server 2008 MDX Step by Step and it delivers what you need to get your teeth into MDX. In the way most Step by Step books from Microsoft Press do, but I probably wouldn't recommend the book to people already fluent with MDX.