Linear Regression Model Query Examples

Applies to: SQL Server 2019 and earlier Analysis Services Azure Analysis Services Fabric/Power BI Premium

When you create a query against a data mining model, you can create a content query, which provides details about the patterns discovered in analysis, or you can create a prediction query, which uses the patterns in the model to make predictions for new data. For example, a content query might provide additional details about the regression formula, while a prediction query might tell you if a new data point fits the model. You can also retrieve metadata about the model by using a query.

This section explains how to create queries for models that are based on the Microsoft Linear Regression algorithm.

Content queries

Using the Data Mining Schema Rowset to determine parameters used for a model

Using DMX to return the regression formula for the model

Returning only the coefficient for the model

Prediction queries

Predicting income using a singleton query

Using prediction functions with a regression model

Finding Information about the Linear Regression Model

The structure of a linear regression model is extremely simple: the mining model represents the data as a single node, which defines the regression formula. For more information, see Mining Model Content for Logistic Regression Models (Analysis Services - Data Mining).

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Sample Query 1: Using the Data Mining Schema Rowset to Determine Parameters Used for a Model

By querying the data mining schema rowset, you can find metadata about the model. This might include when the model was created, when the model was last processed, the name of the mining structure that the model is based on, and the name of the column designated as the predictable attribute. You can also return the parameters that were used when the model was first created.

SELECT MINING_PARAMETERS   
FROM $system.DMSCHEMA_MINING_MODELS  
WHERE MODEL_NAME = 'TM_PredictIncome'  

Sample results:

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Sample Query 2: Retrieving the Regression Formula for the Model

The following query returns the mining model content for a linear regression model that was built by using the same Targeted Mailing data source that was used in the Basic Data Mining Tutorial. This model predicts customer income based on age.

The query returns the contents of the node that contains the regression formula. Each variable and coefficient is stored in a separate row of the nested NODE_DISTRIBUTION table. If you want to view the complete regression formula, use the Microsoft Tree Viewer, click the (All) node, and open the Mining Legend.

SELECT FLATTENED NODE_DISTRIBUTION as t  
FROM LR_PredictIncome.CONTENT  

Expected results:

In comparison, in the Mining Legend, the regression formula appears as follows:

Yearly Income = 57,220.919 + 471.688 * (Age - 45.427)

You can see that in the Mining Legend, some numbers are rounded; however, the NODE_DISTRIBUTION table and the Mining Legend essentially contain the same values.

The values in the VALUETYPE column tell you what kind of information is contained in each row, which is useful if you are processing the results programmatically. The following table shows the value types that are output for a linear regression formula.

For more information about the meaning of each value type for regression models, see Mining Model Content for Linear Regression Models (Analysis Services - Data Mining).

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Sample Query 3: Returning Only the Coefficient for the Model

By using the VALUETYPE enumeration, you can return only the coefficient for the regression equation, as shown in the following query:

SELECT FLATTENED MODEL_NAME,  
    (SELECT ATTRIBUTE_VALUE, VALUETYPE  
     FROM NODE_DISTRIBUTION  
     WHERE VALUETYPE = 11)   
AS t  
FROM LR_PredictIncome.CONTENT  

This query returns two rows, one from the mining model content, and the row from the nested table that contains the coefficient. The ATTRIBUTE_NAME column is not included here because it is always blank for the coefficient.

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Making Predictions from a Linear Regression Model

You can build prediction queries on linear regression models by using the Mining Model Prediction tab in Data Mining Designer. The prediction query builder is available in both SQL Server Management Studio and SQL Server Data Tools.

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Sample Query 4: Predicting Income using a Singleton Query

The easiest way to create a single query on a regression model is by using the Singleton Query Input dialog box. For example, you can build the following DMX query by selecting the appropriate regression model, choosing Singleton Query, and then typing 20 as the value for Age.

SELECT [LR_PredictIncome].[Yearly Income]  
From   [LR_PredictIncome]  
NATURAL PREDICTION JOIN  
(SELECT 20 AS [Age]) AS t  

Sample results:

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Sample Query 5: Using Prediction Functions with a Regression Model

You can use many of the standard prediction functions with linear regression models. The following example illustrates how to add some descriptive statistics to the prediction query results. From these results, you can see that there is considerable deviation from the mean for this model.

SELECT  
  ([LR_PredictIncome].[Yearly Income]) as [PredIncome],  
  (PredictStdev([LR_PredictIncome].[Yearly Income])) as [StDev1]  
From  
  [LR_PredictIncome]  
NATURAL PREDICTION JOIN  
(SELECT 20 AS [Age]) AS t  

Sample results:

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List of Prediction Functions

All Microsoft algorithms support a common set of functions. However, the Microsoft Linear Regression algorithm supports the additional functions listed in the following table.

For a list of the functions that are common to all Microsoft algorithms, see Data Mining Algorithms (Analysis Services - Data Mining). For more information about how to use these functions, see Data Mining Extensions (DMX) Function Reference.

See Also

Microsoft Linear Regression Algorithm
Data Mining Queries
Microsoft Linear Regression Algorithm Technical Reference
Mining Model Content for Linear Regression Models (Analysis Services - Data Mining)