Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies®

VI.1.3. Choosing an Environment for Analysis Services

SQL Server 2008 provides two environments for working with SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS):

• Business Intelligence Development Studio

• SQL Server Management Studio

VI.1.3.1. Using Business Intelligence Development Studio

The Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS) is the primary tool you use for most of the development of an SQL Server Analysis project.

Figure 1-4 shows BIDS open with a SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) project. The project is derived from the AdventureWorksDW database, which was developed by Microsoft for business intelligence examples. If you're familiar with Visual Studio, many of these elements will look familiar to you.

Figure VI.1-4. Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS).

Figure 1-4 shows three key elements of a SSAW project.

On the far right are all the objects that have been developed within the project. These include data sources, data source views, cubes, dimensions, and others. The AdventureWorks BI project includes the AdventureWorksDW database, the AdventureWorks cube, and several dimensions.

Beneath the toolbar are several tabs that appear when a cube is opened. Each of the elements is associated with the cube. They include

• Cube: Used to build or edit the measures or measure groups of the cube.

• Dimensions: Used to define how dimensions are used within the cube.

• Calculations: ...