January 12, 2018 at 10:19 am
Hi all, been going through the MS tutorial for Analysis Services, but it's as dull as ditchwater, not sure if I should spend time pursuing.
I have a small production DB I'd like to turn into a DW later, but for now any recommendations for a more engaging learning path?
Thanks,
JB
January 12, 2018 at 10:41 am
JaybeeSQL - Friday, January 12, 2018 10:19 AMHi all, been going through the MS tutorial for Analysis Services, but it's as dull as ditchwater, not sure if I should spend time pursuing.I have a small production DB I'd like to turn into a DW later, but for now any recommendations for a more engaging learning path?
Thanks,
JB
First, familiarize yourself with concepts of dimensional modeling, star-schema, slowly changing dimensions, ETL. Afterward, focus on tools like SSAS, SSIS, and maybe vendor specific frameworks.
Ralph Kimball is a good guide. His book below is perhaps one of the greatest ever written on the topic.
The Data Warehouse Toolkit: The Definitive Guide to Dimensional Modeling
https://www.amazon.com/Data-Warehouse-Toolkit-Definitive-Dimensional/dp/1118530802
Articles & Design Tips
https://www.kimballgroup.com/category/articles-design-tips/
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
January 25, 2018 at 8:06 am
Eric M Russell - Friday, January 12, 2018 10:41 AMFirst, familiarize yourself with concepts of dimensional modeling, star-schema, slowly changing dimensions, ETL. Afterward, focus on tools like SSAS, SSIS, and maybe vendor specific frameworks.Ralph Kimball is a good guide. His book below is perhaps one of the greatest ever written on the topic.
The Data Warehouse Toolkit: The Definitive Guide to Dimensional Modeling
https://www.amazon.com/Data-Warehouse-Toolkit-Definitive-Dimensional/dp/1118530802
Articles & Design Tips
https://www.kimballgroup.com/category/articles-design-tips/
JaybeeSQL,
As Eric said familiarize yourself with what a true data warehouse is. The Kimball Dimensional Model to data warehousing is the standard (they've been doing it for 30+ years). I have that book and it's a great read (well written and easy to understand). Dimensional modelling is fairly different than typical normalized databases and if built right will be a great foundation for analytics. ETL, SSAS, BI etc. are all separate parts to the analytics machine but dimensional modeling is how we organize, store and maintain the business processes that users will measure.
If you start building ETL packages then I'd suggest one of Wrox publishing's "Integration Services" books. I have the 2008 version and use it for SQL 2014 but they have newer ones like this 2014 version: Wrox 2014 Integration Services
January 25, 2018 at 9:48 am
I'm a big Kimball fan as well. Some of the former members of the Kimball Group (Ralph Kimball retired) have a new website at:
https://decisionworks.com/category/articles-design-tips/
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