Summary

You have learned the calculation fundamentals in Analysis Services 2005 and the use of MDX scripts to apply global scope calculations. MDX scripting includes creating calculated members, named sets, and assignments. Kind of makes you want to specialize in MDX, doesn't it? This is great stuff! This chapter does not provide an in-depth view of the Analysis Services 2005 calculations and various overwrite semantics of calculations due to the relationship between attributes simply because it is too vast to cover here. This chapter is meant to serve as an introduction to the Analysis Services 2005 calculation model with some examples of solving common problems. Several sections in this chapter cover the sort of MDX used to solve some of the common business questions and some MDX enhancements in Analysis Services 2005. MDX is like an ocean. Even when you think you have mastered it you might end up finding there are things you have not learned. Typically you will learn a lot of MDX as and when you implement customer solutions. If you want to dive fully into MDX, understand the concepts discussed in the chapter in detail including the calculation precedence rules; we highly recommend you read MDX Solutions 2nd Edition by George Spofford et al. (Wiley, 2006).

Having learned some of the fundamental concepts of calculations in Analysis Services 2005, you are ready for a deeper understanding of the dimensions and cubes discussed in the next two chapters. Don't think you are done learning MDX in this book. You will be learning additional MDX in subsequent chapters through illustrations and examples wherever applicable. Your journey through the Analysis Services landscape will become even more interesting and exciting as you work your way through the book.