Victor Sobolev said
This book is meant to follow examples step-by-step, which means the sample databases have to be installed first. The instruction tells you to take the CD, and install two samples. It goes in great detail explaining that C:drive letter may need to be changed to D: (repeated 4 times), but it does not give you a slightest hint that different processes of SQL Server use different autentication regardless of your login name, and you need to give these permissions to the sample source files.
After spending several hours googling and experimenting, I got thru with permissions; fixed the problem with the log file (the only one mentioned on-line for book support), managed to load the first database, and got stuck with all kind of error messages loading the analysis services database.
Without the source code the only option was to send an email to Microsoft Support team. All I got back is auto-reply, so instead of studying the new language I spend days waiting.
Unless you are a SQL Server DBA who loves debugging for fun, pick something else.
Eldred Rivera said
Brian and Ryan presented a very simple and literally step by step way to understand the fundamental syntax of MDX. In addition, the examples are good starting points to be adventurous and to try other stuff. The chapters are arranged in a very logical manner. Each chapter builds upon the knowledge picked-up from the previous one.
However, do not let Chapter 1 discourage you from continuing to explore the rest of the book. The attempt to present the wealth of business intelligence, dimensional model and data warehouse terms and structure may get to be confusing. I agree with them when they wrote that a familiarity of the concept of data warehousing is recommended. To better appreciate the whole exercise of learning MDX, a basic knowledge of Analysis Services will go a long way.
Lastly, finishing the book with a chapter on using MDX with reporting services shows the main purpose of learning MDX in the first place, provide meaningful information to the end users in a format they will appreciate.
Eldred Rivera, MCT
kamran arab said
I have read several other texts and I can say that none of them were complete. Some texts had good theory but lacked database sample where you could run the exact same queries, verify results and tinker a little to gain understanding. This book not only comes with a sample database (relational and dimensional), the queries and the databases actually match 100%. Learning Sql or MDX is like learning mathematics - you can't learn it just by reading, exercising the skills is essential.
Step-by-step is very effective approach for new comers so basically this book is ideal for beginners. At the same time it gives you enough details to be an advance user. This book is not for people with MDX skills already under their belt and looking for a reference book. They will be bored with simplistic approach used for beginners. I have been waiting for this book for months and I am not disappointed.
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