20.5. Development

You create an Analysis Services database by using SQL Server Management Studio. Right-click the Database folder for the Analysis Server instance and select New Database from the context menu to open the New Database dialog box. Although you cannot create an Analysis Services database by using Business Intelligence Development Studio or Visual Studio 2005, you can define objects on an existing Analysis Services database by using either SQL Server Management Studio or Business Intelligence Development Studio.

You develop, deploy, and manage SSAS solutions by using Business Intelligence Development Studio and SQL Server Management Studio. You use Business Intelligence Development Studio to create business intelligence solutionseither SSAS or report projects. You use SQL Server Management Studio to administer Analysis Services instances and manage and create Analysis Services objects using SSAS Scripts Projects. These project types are described in the following subsections.

20.5.1. SSAS Project

An SSAS project contains object definitions such as data sources, data-source views, dimensions, and cubes for a single SSAS database stored in XML files. These projects are part of SSAS solutions that can contain projects from other SQL Server components. You can create an SSAS project that is independent of a specific SSAS instance by using Business Intelligence Development Studio.

20.5.2. SSAS Scripts Project

An SSAS Scripts Project contains scripts written in MDX, DMX, and XMLA. SSAS Scripts Projects let you group related scripts for development and administrative purposes. You can create an SSAS Scripts Project with SQL Server Management Studio.