Analysis Services Scripting

This section covers various scripting approaches for managing and interacting with SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS).

Introduction to Scripting

Scripting provides a powerful way to automate repetitive tasks, deploy solutions, and manage your Analysis Services instances. It allows for greater efficiency and consistency in your data modeling and administration workflows.

XML for Analysis (XMLA)

XML for Analysis (XMLA) is a SOAP-based protocol that uses XML to communicate with OLAP databases. It's the foundation for many scripting and automation tasks in Analysis Services.

• Key Concepts: Commands, Datasets, SOAP envelopes, HTTP/HTTPS transport.
• Common Operations: Creating, altering, and dropping Analysis Services objects (databases, cubes, dimensions, measures, roles), executing MDX and DAX queries, batch processing.

You can send XMLA commands directly using tools like SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or programmatically using ADOMD.NET or AMO (Analysis Management Objects).

Basic XMLA Example (Creating a Database)

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<CreateDatabase xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/analysisservices/2003/engine" ID="MyNewDatabase">
  <Name>MyNewDatabase</Name>
</CreateDatabase>

PowerShell Cmdlets

SQL Server provides a rich set of PowerShell cmdlets for managing Analysis Services. These cmdlets abstract the complexity of XMLA and offer a more intuitive scripting experience.

• Module: SqlServerCmdlets.psm1 (often installed with SSMS or SQL Server Feature Pack).
• Key Cmdlets:
  • Invoke-SqlAnalysisServicesCmdlet: Executes XMLA commands.
  • New-SqlAnalysisServicesDatabase, Remove-SqlAnalysisServicesDatabase: For database management.
  • Get-SqlAnalysisServicesDatabase: Retrieves information about databases.
  • Import-SqlAnalysisServicesDatabase, Export-SqlAnalysisServicesDatabase: For backup and restore operations.

PowerShell Example (Creating a Database)

Import-Module SqlServerCmdlets

$serverName = "localhost"
$databaseName = "MyNewPowerShellDB"

# Create the database using XMLA
$xmla = @"

  $databaseName

"@

Invoke-SqlAnalysisServicesCmdlet -Server $serverName -Database "" -Query $xmla

Write-Host "Database '$databaseName' created successfully."

DAX Scripting

DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) is primarily a formula language for Power BI and Analysis Services tabular models. While not a full scripting language for object management, it's crucial for defining measures, calculated columns, and row-level security.

• Use Cases: Defining complex business logic, creating dynamic measures, implementing security policies.
• Tools: DAX Studio, Tabular Editor, SSMS (for tabular models).

DAX Example (Simple Measure)

Total Sales = SUM('Sales'[SalesAmount])

MDX Scripting

MDX (Multidimensional Expressions) is the query and expression language for Analysis Services multidimensional models. It's used for querying data, defining calculated members, and managing cube logic.

• Use Cases: Complex cube calculations, defining member properties, retrieving data for reporting.
• Tools: SSMS, MDX Studio.

MDX Example (Calculated Member)

WITH MEMBER [Measures].[Sales YTD] AS
  'SUM( YTD([Date].[Calendar].CurrentMember), [Measures].[Sales Amount] )'
SELECT
  {[Measures].[Sales Amount], [Measures].[Sales YTD]} ON COLUMNS,
  [Product].[Category].Members ON ROWS
FROM [AdventureWorksCube]

Automation Examples

Combine these scripting methods for powerful automation:

• Deployment Pipelines: Use PowerShell to deploy SSAS projects (created in Visual Studio) to different environments.
• Data Refresh: Script data source updates and process operations using XMLA or PowerShell.
• Security Management: Automate the creation and modification of roles and user permissions.
• Monitoring and Auditing: Script queries to extract metadata or performance metrics.

By mastering these scripting techniques, you can significantly enhance the manageability, efficiency, and scalability of your SQL Server Analysis Services solutions.