Introduction to MDX - Professional SQL Server Analysis Services 2005 with MDX - page 121

Analysis Services 2000 that the new version opens up whole new approaches to
problem solving in the BI space. Because MDX functions are so central to suc-
cessful use of Analysis Services 2005, it is best if you jump right in and learn some
of the functions. Putting those functions together to accomplish more meaningful
tasks will come later in the topic. For now, please snap on your seatbelt; it's time
to learn about MDX functions.
MDX Function Categories
MDX functions are used to programmatically operate on multidimen-
sional databases; from traversing dimension hierarchies to calculating
numeric functions over the data, there is plenty of surface area to ex-
plore. In this section the MDX functions have been categorized in a spe-
cific way for you to understand the MDX functions efficiently. You also
see some details on select functions of interest, where interest level is
defined by the probability you will use a given function. You can see all
of the MDX functions in detail in Appendix A . We have categorized the
MDX functions into several categories very similar to the product docu-
mentations on MDX functions. The category set functions , which makes
it the largest category. MDX functions can be called in several ways:
1. Function (read dot function)
Example
<Dimension>.Name returns the name of the object being referenced
(could be a hierarchy or level/member expression). Perhaps this reminds
you of the dot operator in VB.NET or C# programming — that's fine. It's
roughly the same idea.
WITH MEMBER measures.LocationName AS
[Customer].[Country].CurrentMember.Name
SELECT measures.LocationName ON COLUMNS,
Customer.country.members on ROWS
FROM [Adventure Works]