Tài liệu Module 6: Working with Cubes and Measures docx

Contents
Overview 1
Introduction to Cubes 2
Working with Cubes 5
Introduction to Measures 11
Lab A: Creating Cubes with the Cube Editor 15
Working with Measures 19
Defining Cube Properties 28
Using the Disabled Property 30
Lab B: Using Properties in the Cube Editor 32
Review 35

Module 6: Working with
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Instructor Notes
Other modules in this course review the mechanics for creating different types
of dimensions and how to solve common online analytical processing (OLAP)
design issues. Though dimensions are fundamental to multidimensional
reporting, the database cube combines dimensions with measures to answer
complex business questions. In this module, students use the Cube Editor in

Microsoft
®
SQL Server
™
2000 Analysis Services to create and manipulate
cubes, add measures and dimensions, and assign properties to improve cubes.
After completing this module, students will be able to:
!
Define the required components of cubes.
!
Create cubes by using the Cube Editor.
!
Describe the characteristics of measures.
!
Assign properties to measures.
!
Modify cube properties by using the Cube Editor.
!
Disable levels of shared dimensions.

Materials and Preparation
This section provides the materials and preparation tasks that you need to teach
this module.
Required Materials
To teach this module, you need Microsoft PowerPoint
®
file

2074A_06.ppt

Preparation Tasks
To prepare for this module, you should:
!
Read all of the student materials.
!
Read the instructor notes and margin notes.
!
Practice the lecture presentation and demonstration.
!
Complete the lab.
!
Review the Trainer Preparation presentation for this module on the Trainer
Materials compact disc.
!
Review any relevant white papers that are located on the Trainer Materials
compact disc.

Presentation:
60 Minutes

Labs:
30 Minutes
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Other Activities
Difficult Questions
Below are difficult questions that students may ask you during the delivery of
this module and answers to the questions. These materials delve into subjects

that are within the scope of the module but are not specifically addressed in the
content of the student notes.
1. Will the Validate Cube Structure tool in the Cube Editor find most
problems with a cube?
The Validate Cube Structure tool does not find most problems
associated with a cube. It notifies you if a cube does not contain at least
one measure and at least one dimension. In addition, it notifies you if
not all tables in the cube schema are joined to at least one other table.
However, most errors in a cube are found in the underlying data in the
fact table and dimension tables. Therefore, the only method of ensuring
that the cube is complete and error-free is to process the cube, to watch
for errors in the Process dialog box, and to verify correct data values
within a cube browser.
2. How can you move easily from the Cube Editor to the Dimension Editor to
update shared dimensions?
There is no way to easily move from the Cube Editor to the Dimension
Editor. You must first close the Cube Editor and then open the
Dimension Editor for that dimension. In addition, you cannot minimize
the Cube Editor or any windows in Analysis Manager.
3. How do you add a measure to a cube when the measure is not in the fact
table?
All measures must be found in the fact table defined in the cube
schema. If your cube requires a measure from another fact table, you
can create a view in the relational database management system
(RDBMS) and build a cube directly from the view. You can also create
another cube with the same dimensions and then create a virtual cube
that combines the measures of the two cubes and their shared
dimensions.
4. How do you model measures that require a hierarchy, such as a chart of
accounts?

Because the measures dimension is flat, you cannot create a hierarchy
by defining the accounts as measures. However, you can model the
accounts as a parent-child dimension. If you are defining typical
measures as members in a dimension, you can create a single measure,
Amount, because cubes require at least one measure. Then, you use a
custom roll-up to assign various aggregations to each of the accounts in
the parent-child dimension.


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Module Strategy
Use the following strategy to present this module:
!
Introduction to Cubes
Explain the characteristics of cubes. Discuss the programmatic limitations
associated with cubes and measures.
!
Working with Cubes
Describe the Cube Editor interface and give an informal demonstration of
each of the Cube Editor areas. Explain the steps involved in creating a new
cube by using the Cube Editor. Describe the differences between defining
private and shared dimensions in a cube.
!
Introduction to Measures
Define the characteristics of measures. Explain the process of adding new
members to a cube, deleting measures from a cube, and modifying measures
in the Cube Editor. Finish the discussion with lab A, in which students

create simple cubes, add dimensions and measures, and view properties in
the Cube Editor.
!
Working with Measures
Describe each of the measure properties found in the Cube Editor. Explain
each of the Aggregate Function properties and give examples of when to
use Sum, Count, Min, Max, and Distinct Count. Define derived measures
and discuss their limitations in creating calculations.
!
Defining Cube Properties
Explain each of the cube properties available in the Cube Editor. Discuss the
real-world application of each property.
!
Using the Disabled Property
Explain the Disabled property used in the Cube Editor to disable dimension
levels. Finish the module with lab B, which highlights several measure,
dimension, and cube properties.





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Overview
!
Introduction to Cubes
!

Working with Cubes
!
Introduction to Measures
!
Working with Measures
!
Defining Cube Properties
!
Using the Disabled Property


It is important to understand the mechanics of creating dimensions, but
dimensions are useful only when incorporated into a cube. The database cube
combines dimensions with measures to answer complex business questions. In
this module, you use the Cube Editor to create and manipulate cubes, add
measures and dimensions, and assign properties to improve cubes.
After completing this module, you will be able to:
!
Define the required components of cubes.
!
Create cubes by using the Cube Editor.
!
Describe the characteristics of measures.
!
Assign properties to measures.
!
Modify cube properties by using the Cube Editor.
!
Disable levels of shared dimensions.

Topic Objective
To provide an overview of
the module topics and
objectives.
Lead-in
In this module, you will learn
about the Cube Editor and
how it can be used to create
and manipulate cubes, add
measures and dimensions,
and assign properties to
improve cubes.
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#
##
#

Introduction to Cubes
!
Characteristics of Cubes
!
Analysis Services Limitations


An online analytical processing (OLAP) cube uses dimension hierarchies to
summarize measures from a fact table. A cube must always have at least one

dimension, at least one measure, and one fact table that is the data source of the
cube. To efficiently design cubes that meet your business needs, you need to
understand the requirements related to cubes and measures and the design limits
of Microsoft
®
SQL Server
™
2000 Analysis Services. This section describes the
characteristics of cubes and the limitations associated with cubes and measures.
Topic Objective
To introduce the concept of
cubes.
Lead-in
In this section, you learn the
characteristics of cubes and
the limitations associated
with cubes and measures.

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Characteristics of Cubes
!
Combine Dimensions and Measures
!
Provide the Mechanism for Uniform and Rapid Query
Response
!
Are Subsets of Data from a Data Warehouse that Are

Converted to Multidimensional Structures
!
Contain Precalculated Summaries of Data Called
Aggregations
!
Contain up to 128 Dimensions


Users interact with OLAP databases by connecting to and manipulating cubes.
The following are important characteristics of cubes:
!
Cubes combine dimensions and measures into one logical storage medium.
!
Cubes provide the mechanism for rapid and uniform response to complex
queries by users.
!
Cubes usually contain subsets of data pulled from a data warehouse at the
lowest level that are then organized into multidimensional structures and
aggregated into more summarized levels.

Relational OLAP (ROLAP) cubes store data in a collection of tables
found in the source relational database management system (RDBMS).
ROLAP cubes store their data in tables, but they have the option to store
dimension data in multidimensional structures.

!
Cubes contain summaries of data called aggregations, which precalculate
according to the aggregation design of the cube.
!
Despite their three-dimensional description, cubes typically contain many

dimensions, with the programmed limitation of Analysis Services being 128
dimensions.

Topic Objective
To describe the fundamental
characteristics of cubes.
Lead-in
Now let us discuss the
fundamental characteristics
of cubes.
Delivery Tip
Point out that cubes can
store data directly in the
RDBMS. The slide mentions
the most common method of
storing cube data in
multidimensional structures,
but there are other options
for storing cube data in
Analysis Services.
Note
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Analysis Services Limits
LimitItem
65,535Calculated members per cube
1,024Measures per cube
256Levels per cube

128Dimensions per cube
64 kilobytesRecord size for cube’s source
database table


When designing cubes and measures, you need to know the programmable
limits of Analysis Services. In most cases, the limits far exceed real-world
requirements. However, cube and measure requirements sometimes require
changes because of the limitations.
The following table lists some published limits of Analysis Services.
Item Limit

Dimensions per cube 128
Levels per cube 256
Measures per cube 1,024
Calculated members per cube 65,535
Record size for cube’s source database
table
64 kilobytes



Topic Objective
To describe the
programmed limits
associated with cubes and
measures in Analysis
Services.
Lead-in
When designing cubes and

measures, you need to
understand the
programmable limits of
Analysis Services.
Delivery Tips
Review each of the limits,
using the slide to illustrate
the discussion.

Ask students whether any
limit might be a problem for
them when they design
cubes for their business
needs.
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#
##
#

Working with Cubes
!
Working with the Cube Editor
!
Creating a New Cube
!
Setting Dimension Properties

The Cube Editor is one of the primary interfaces for refining and changing
cubes and dimensions. In this section, you explore the basic elements of the
Cube Editor and learn how to use it to create and edit cubes.
You can quickly build a cube by using the Cube Wizard. However, many of the
properties available in the Cube Editor are not available in the Cube Wizard. If
you create a cube by using the Cube Wizard, you will probably use the Cube
Editor later to refine the cube and measures.
Topic Objective
To introduce the basics of
working with cubes.
Lead-in
In this section, you explore
the basic elements of the
Cube Editor and learn how
to use it to create and edit
cubes.

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Working with the Cube Editor
!
Accessing the Cube Editor
!
Cube Editor Elements

If you are familiar with the Dimension Editor, the Cube Editor is a very
straightforward interface for working with cubes and measures.
Accessing the Cube Editor
Analysis Manager is an easily navigated interface. Because of the context-
sensitive menus, you typically right-click the object you want to modify or
define and then choose the proper menu option. You can access the Cube Editor
in three ways:
!
The Cube Editor automatically opens after the last step of the Cube Wizard.
!
In Analysis Manager, right-click the Cubes folder, click New Cube, and
then click Editor.
!
In Analysis Manager, right-click the cube, and then click Edit.

Topic Objective
To describe how to work
with the Cube Editor.
Lead-in
If you are familiar with the
Dimension Editor, the Cube
Editor is a very
straightforward interface for
working with cubes and
measures.
Delivery Tip
Open the Cube Editor for a
cube in Analysis Manager
and demonstrate the
interface described on this

page.
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Cube Editor Elements
The Cube Editor is similar to the Dimension Editor. The left pane contains a
tree pane at the top, which shows the components of the cube. The left pane
also has a Properties pane at the bottom that contains properties for the cube, its
dimensions, and its dimension levels.
The Cube Editor includes the following major screen elements:
!
Tree pane. Displays folders for dimensions, measures, calculated members,
actions, and named sets. Right-click the items in the tree pane to display the
context-sensitive menus.
!
Properties pane. The Properties button toggles the display of the Properties
pane. The Properties pane contains property settings for the selected item in
the tree pane
Properties differ based on the type of item selected. For example, measures
have different properties from dimensions.
!
Schema pane. The pane on the right displays the underlying RDBMS
schema when the Schema tab is clicked.
!
Preview pane. When you click the Data tab, the pane on the right displays a
cube browser, which allows cube viewing.

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Creating a New Cube
1. Access the Cube Editor
2. Choose a Fact Table
3. Select the Measures
4. Insert Shared Dimensions
5. Create Private Dimensions
6. Validate the Cube Structure
7. Save and Name the Cube


The Cube Wizard provides you with a systematic interface for creating new
cubes. Creating cubes through the Cube Editor is also very straightforward. The
following steps take you through the process of creating a new cube by using
the Cube Editor:
1. Right-click the Cubes folder, click New Cube, and then click Editor.
2. Choose a fact table from the data source.
3. Select the measures for the cube from the fact table in one of three ways:
• Drag the selected numeric fields from the fact table to the Measures
folder in the tree pane.
• On the Insert menu, click Measure, and then select each measure
individually.
• Click Insert Measure, and then select each measure individually.
4. Insert the shared dimensions into the cube:
• Either right-click the Dimensions folder, and then click Existing
Dimensions, or click Insert Dimension.
• Add the shared dimensions to the cube by moving them from the
Shared dimensions list to the Cube dimensions list.

The Cube Editor adds any tables used to build a shared dimension to
the cube schema when you insert an existing shared dimension. If the
dimension key found in the dimension table has the same name as the
dimension key found in the fact table, a join is created automatically. If the
Cube Editor does not create the join automatically, you can create a join
manually by dragging the key from the dimension table to the key in the fact
table.

Topic Objective
To describe the process of
creating a new cube by
using the Cube Editor.
Lead-in
The following steps take you
through the process of
creating a new cube by
using the Cube Editor.
Key Point
The Validate Cube
Structure tool confirms that
the cube contains at least
one measure and at least
one dimension, and that all
tables included in the cube
schema have legitimate
joins.
Note
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5. Create private dimensions in the cube:
• If the dimension table does not exist in the schema, click Insert Table to
add the source table to the schema.
• Drag the columns that provide the private dimension levels to the
Dimensions folder.
• If further levels are required, either drag additional columns from the
dimension table to the private dimension or right-click the private
dimension and click New Level.

Adding, deleting, or modifying shared or private dimensions in a
production cube is a major procedure. In doing so, you must redesign cube
storage, redesign aggregations, and reprocess the cube.

6. On the Tools menu, click Validate Cube Structure to verify that all joins
and measures are accurate.

The Validate Cube Structure tool confirms that the cube contains at
least one measure and at least one dimension, and that all tables included in
the cube schema are joined to at least one other table.

7. Save and name the cube.


Im
p
ortan
t
Note
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Setting Dimension Properties
!
Setting Properties for Private Dimensions
$
Administration occurs in the Cube Editor
$
Any level property can be modified
!
Setting Properties for Shared Dimensions
$
Properties apply to all cubes that contain the dimension
$
Administration occurs in the Dimension Editor


You set dimension properties in the Dimension Editor or the Cube Editor. The
editor you use depends on whether the dimension is private or shared.
Setting Properties for Private Dimensions
With a private dimension, you use the Cube Editor, not the Dimension Editor,
to edit all of the dimension properties. You use the Cube Editor’s Properties
pane to change the properties such as the dimension name and the dimension
type.
If a particular level in a private dimension is selected, you can modify all of the
level properties, such as Member Key Column, Member Name Column,
Member Keys Unique, and so on.
Setting Properties for Shared Dimensions
With the exception of properties such as disabling levels and setting

aggregation usage, the properties for shared dimensions are disabled. Because
these properties apply to the entire dimension in all cubes and not only to the
dimension in the single cube, shared dimension administration occurs in the
Dimension Editor.
The Member Key Column is also accessible in the Cube Editor. You update
the Member Key Column of some shared dimension levels to optimize cube
processing.

For more information about optimizing cube processing by updating the
Member Key Column, see module 9, “Processing Dimensions and Cubes,” in
course 2074A, Designing and Implementing OLAP Solutions with Microsoft
SQL Server 2000.


Topic Objective
To describe the process of
setting properties for private
and shared dimensions and
to compare the two types of
dimensions.
Lead-in
You set dimension
properties in the Dimension
Editor or the Cube Editor.
The editor you use depends
on whether the dimension is
private or shared.
Note
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#
##
#

Introduction to Measures
!
Defining Measures
!
Adding, Deleting, and Modifying Measures


Measures are the numeric data of primary interest to the users of a cube.
Understanding the characteristics and mechanics of measures is fundamental to
working with cubes.
Topic Objective
To introduce the concept of
measures.
Lead-in
Measures are the numeric
data of primary interest to
the users of a cube.
Understanding the
characteristics and
mechanics of measures is
fundamental to working with
cubes
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Defining Measures
!
Measures
$
Must be numeric
$
Must originate from the fact
table
$
Force the redesign of
aggregations when added,
deleted, or modified
$
Are aggregated across all
dimensions
$
Consume disk space
!
The Measures Dimension
$
Is flat
$
Is limited to 1,024 members
$
Is always private

All cubes by definition contain a measures dimension. The measures in a cube
appear as members of the measures dimension. The measures dimension is
different from other dimensions in several respects.
Measures
The following items are characteristics of measures:
!
A measure must be numeric. In other words, a measure is always
quantitative in nature, such as the number of units, average price, or dollars.
!
A measure must originate from columns in the fact table.
!
When you add, delete, or modify a measure in a cube, the aggregations of
the cube must be redesigned.
!
Each measure is aggregated uniformly across all other dimensions by one of
the five aggregate functions.

Custom rollups, custom rollup formulas, and custom member
formulas allow you to define members that override the default aggregation
functions of measures. For more information on these topics, see module 5,
“Using Advanced Dimension Settings,” and module 11, “Implementing
Calculations Using MDX,” in course 2074A, Designing and Implementing
OLAP Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2000.

!
Measures are stored in the cube and consume disk space after the cube is
processed.
Topic Objective
To define several
characteristics of measures

and the measures
dimension.
Lead-in
All cubes by definition
contain a measures
dimension. The measures
dimension is different from
other dimensions in several
respects.
Delivery Tip
The slide bullet “Is always
private” may be confusing
for students. If so, explain
that measures are not
shared across multiple
cubes, similar to private
dimensions.
Note
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The Measures Dimension
The following items are characteristics of the measures dimension:
!
The measures dimension is flat—there are no levels in the dimension.
!
The measures dimension is limited to 1,024 members, each of which maps
directly to one or more columns in the source fact table.
!

You do not share measures across multiple cubes. The measures dimension
is always private.

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Adding, Deleting, and Modifying Measures
!
Adding a Measure to a Cube
!
Deleting a Measure from a Cube
!
Modifying a Measure in a Cube


The Cube Wizard walks you through the steps required to create a cube. Once a
cube is defined, however, the only way to add, delete, or modify a measure is
by using the Cube Editor.
Adding a Measure to a Cube
To add a measure to a cube by using the Cube Editor, perform the following
steps:
1. In the Cube Editor, right-click the Measures folder, and then click New
Measure.
2. Select a column from the fact table.

Deleting a Measure from a Cube
To delete a measure from a cube, perform the following step:
!
In the Cube Editor, right-click the measure and click Delete.

Modifying a Measure in a Cube
To modify a measure in a cube, perform the following steps:
1. Click the measure in the tree pane of the Cube Editor.
2. Edit the properties of the measure in the Properties pane.


Adding, deleting, or modifying measures in a production cube is a
major procedure. In doing so, you must redesign cube storage, redesign
aggregations, and reprocess the cube.


Topic Objective
To describe how to add,
delete, and modify
measures by using the
Cube Editor.
Lead-in
After a cube is defined, the
only way to add, delete, or
modify a measure is by
using the Cube Editor.
Key Point
Adding, deleting, or
modifying measures in a
production cube is a major
procedure. In doing so, you
must redesign cube storage,
redesign aggregations, and
reprocess the cube.

Delivery Tip
Open the Cube Editor and
demonstrate how to add,
delete, and modify
measures in cubes.
Importan
t

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Lab A: Creating Cubes with the Cube Editor


Objectives
After completing this lab, you will be able to:
!
Create a new cube by using the Cube Editor.
!
Add measures and dimensions to a cube.

Prerequisites
Before working on this lab, you must have:
!
Experience working with dimensions.
!
An understanding of dimensions, cubes, and measures.

Estimated time to complete this lab: 10 minutes
Topic Objective
To introduce the lab.
Lead-in
In this lab, you will create
two cubes by using the
Cube Editor.
Explain the lab objectives.

After students complete the
lab, ask the students what
Sales Dollars values they
record for both exercises in
the lab.
16 Module 6: Working with Cubes and Measures

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Exercise 1
Creating a Simple Cube
In this exercise, you will create a basic cube, adding a single measure and one
private dimension by using the Cube Editor. You also will create a valid cube
and browse the resulting data.
!
To restore a new database and define a data source
1. In Analysis Manager, right-click the server, click Restore Database, click
the Look in list, click the file C:\MOC\2074A\Labfiles\L06\Module
06.CAB, and then click OK.
2. To expand the database, double-click Module 06.
3. Double-click the Data Sources folder below Module 06, right-click the

Module 06 data source, and then click Edit.
4. Click the Connection tab of the Data Link Properties dialog box, and then
verify that localhost is selected in the list of servers in step 1.
5. In step 2, verify that Use Windows NT Integrated security is selected.
6. In step 3, verify that Module 06 is selected.
7. Click Test Connection and verify that the test succeeded. Click OK twice.


!
To create a new cube
1. In Analysis Manager, in the Module 06 database, right-click the Cubes
folder, click New Cube, and then click Editor.
The Cube Editor opens and you see the Choose a fact table dialog box.
2. Click Salesfact, and then click OK. Click Yes to count the fact table
records.
You see the Salesfact table in the Schema pane on the right side of the Cube
Editor.
3. Drag Sales_Dollars from the Salesfact table to the Measures folder in the
Cube Editor tree pane.
4. Double-click State_ID in the Salesfact table.
5. In the Map the Column dialog box, click Dimension, and then click OK.
You see a new dimension beneath the Dimensions folder—State Id. Notice
that there is not a hand beneath the arrows on the icon for the State Id
dimension. This indicates that State Id is a private dimension.
6. Click the State Id dimension, and change the dimension name to State in
the Basic tab of the Properties pane.
7. Expand the State dimension and notice the one level in the dimension—
State Id. Change the name of the level to State.
8. Notice that the other properties in the Basic and Advanced tabs in the
Properties pane can be modified.

You can change the properties of State because you defined it as a private
dimension.

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!
To process, save, and browse the cube
1. In the Cube Editor, click the Data tab and browse the new cube.
The data in the browser is sample data generated by the Cube Editor.
2. To verify that the cube contains all required components, on the Tools
menu, click Validate Cube Structure, and then click OK.
3. On the Tools menu, click Process Cube, click Yes to save the cube, and
then name the cube Simple Cube. Click OK.
4. When asked if you want to design aggregations, click No, and then click
OK.
5. Close the Process dialog box.
6. Browse the cube in the Data pane. What is the Sales Dollars value for State
Id 6?
$5,208.15
____________________________________________________________

18 Module 6: Working with Cubes and Measures

BETA MATERIALS FOR MICROSOFT CERTIFIED TRAINER PREPARATION PURPOSES ONLY

Exercise 2
Creating the Sales Cube
In this exercise, you will create another cube—Sales. In this cube, you will add

dimensions already defined in the Module 06 database. You finish by
processing and browsing the cube to test for correct data.

!
To create the new cube
1. In the upper right corner of the Cube Editor, click the Cube list, and then
click New.
2. Click Salesfact, and then click OK. To count the fact table records, click
Yes.
3. Add the Sales_Dollars and Sales_Units measures to the cube.
4. Right-click the Dimensions folder and click Existing Dimensions.
5. Click the double arrow button (>>) to add all dimensions to the Cube
dimensions list, and then click OK.
Notice that all dimensions are added to the Dimensions folder in the tree
pane. In addition, notice the dimension tables in the Schema pane. When
you add a shared dimension to a cube, its dimension tables are automatically
added to the cube schema.
6. Expand the Product dimension, and notice the properties in the Basic and
Advanced tabs for each of the levels in the Product dimension.
Most properties are disabled because Product is a shared dimension. To
update the properties of a shared dimension, leave the Cube Editor and edit
the dimension by using the Dimension Editor.

!
To process, save, and browse the cube
1. In the Cube Editor, click the Data tab and browse sample data in the new
cube.
2. To verify that the cube contains all required components and joins, on the
Tools menu, click Validate Cube Structure. Click OK.
3. On the Tools menu, click Process Cube. Click Yes to save the cube, and

then name the cube Sales. Click OK.
4. Click No to avoid the design of aggregations, and then click OK.
5. Close the Process dialog box.
6. Browse the cube in the Data pane. What is the calendar year January 2000
Sales Dollars value for Bread in the USA?
$486.58
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7. Save the cube, and then close the Cube Editor.

Module 6: Working with Cubes and Measures 19

BETA MATERIALS FOR MICROSOFT CERTIFIED TRAINER PREPARATION PURPOSES ONLY

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Working with Measures
!
Defining Measure Properties
!
Aggregating Measures
!
Working with Derived Measures


When you create a measure in a cube, you must determine the basic properties
and the Aggregate Function property to assign the measure. In addition, you
can update the Source Column of the measure to create a derived measure in
specific circumstances.

In this section, you will learn about:
!
Defining measure properties.
!
Aggregating measures.
!
Working with derived measures.



Topic Objective
To introduce the mechanics
of working with measures.
Lead-in
In this section, you will learn
about basic measure
properties, the Aggregate
Function property, and the
use of derived measures in
cubes.