Introducing Analysis Services Scripting Language

Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services client applications, including SQL Server Management Studio and Business Intelligence Development Studio, communicate with Analysis Services by using SOAP messages. Analysis Services Scripting Language (ASSL), which is the XML dialect used for these messages, is made up of two parts:

  • A Data Definition Language (DDL), or object definition language, which defines and describes an instance of Analysis Services, as well as the databases and database objects that the instance contains. This object definition language is the subject of this reference section.

  • A command language that sends action commands, such as Create, Alter, or Process, to an instance of Analysis Services. This command language is discussed in the XML for Analysis Reference (XMLA).

In This Section

Topic

Description

Overview of Analysis Services Scripting Language

Describes the role of ASSL.

Objects and Object Characteristics

Explains major and minor objects, inheritance, naming, and other ASSL object characteristics.

XML Conventions

Identifies XML conventions used in the ASSL object model.

Data Sources and Bindings (Analysis Services - Multidimensional Data)

Introduces the bindings that serve as data sources for ASSL objects.