Analysis Services Data Access Interfaces (Analysis Services - Multidimensional Data)

Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services supports several technologies that can be used to access data and metadata stored on an instance of Analysis Services. Using the Analysis Services data access technologies, you can do the following:

Retrieve Schema Rowsets

Schema rowsets are one way in which client applications can examine metadata stored on, and retrieve support and monitoring information from, an Analysis Services instance. You can retrieve OLE DB, OLE DB for Online Analytical Processing (OLAP), OLE DB for Data Mining, or XML for Analysis (XMLA) schema rowsets.

To retrieve schema rowsets:

• You can use OLE DB commands with the Analysis Services 9.0 OLE DB provider. For more information, see Analysis Services OLE DB Provider (Analysis Services - Multidimensional Data).

• You can run the XMLA Discover method directly against an Analysis Services instance to retrieve schema rowset information. For more information, see Discover Method (XMLA).

Retrieve Data and Metadata

You can retrieve data and metadata, in either tabular or multidimensional formats, from cubes and mining models.

To retrieve data and metadata:

• You can use ADOMD.NET in a managed client application to retrieve Analysis Services information using common Microsoft .NET Framework data access interfaces. For more information, see ADOMD.NET.

• You can use the Analysis Services 9.0 OLE DB provider in unmanaged client applications to support OLE DB access. For more information, see Analysis Services OLE DB Provider (Analysis Services - Multidimensional Data).

• You can use ASSL to retrieve data directly from an Analysis Services instance in an XML-based format. For more information, see ASSL.

Manipulate Analysis Services Objects

You can manipulate Analysis Services objects, such as databases, cubes, dimensions, and mining structures, using Multidimensional Expressions (MDX), Data Mining Extensions (DMX), or XMLA commands.

To manipulate Analysis Services objects:

• You can use ADOMD.NET in a managed client application to send commands using common .NET Framework data access interfaces. For more information, see ADOMD.NET.

• You can use the Analysis Services 9.0 OLE DB provider in unmanaged client applications to send commands using OLE DB access. For more information, see Analysis Services OLE DB Provider (Analysis Services - Multidimensional Data).

• You can use ASSL to send commands directly to an Analysis Services instance. For more information, see ASSL.