Articles filed in category 'OLAP'

  • Using DuckDB for Data Analytics

    By: Wei-Meng Lee

    Last updated: Monday, December 8, 2025

    Published in: CODE Magazine: 2023 - May/Jun

    In this article by Wei-Meng Lee, the author introduces DuckDB, a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) that supports Structured Query Language (SQL) and is designed for data analytics. Unlike traditional database systems, DuckDB does not require installation and can run queries directly on Pandas data. The article provides examples and demonstrations of how to use DuckDB for data analytics tasks, including loading datasets, querying data using SQL, and performing analytics on the data. The author also discusses the recently added support for JSON ingestion in DuckDB. Overall, the article highlights the convenience and efficiency of using DuckDB for data analytics tasks.

  • The Baker’s Dozen: 13 Differences Between Analysis Services OLAP and Tabular

    By: Kevin Goff

    Last updated: Sunday, December 7, 2025

    Published in: CODE Magazine: 2013 - July/August

    In this article, Kevin Goff provides a detailed comparison of Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) OLAP and the newer SSAS Tabular model, highlighting thirteen key differences based on functionality, scalability, and ease of use. While the Tabular model offers a more modern interface and leverages in-memory technology with DAX, Goff emphasizes that SSAS OLAP remains superior in handling large datasets, complex relationships, parallel processing, and advanced features like MDX named sets. He concludes that although Tabular shows promise and suits certain projects, OLAP is still the more powerful and mature choice for most enterprise analytics today.

  • The Baker’s Dozen: 13 Productivity Tips for Building OLAP Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services

    By: Kevin Goff

    Last updated: Tuesday, February 19, 2019

    Published in: CODE Magazine: 2011 - March/April

    rewarding experience of writing and speaking is taking a seemingly complex topic and making it more understandable and accessible. In this article, I’ll show how to create and use OLAP databases and cubes using SQL Server Analysis Services 2008 (SSAS 2008). The benefits of OLAP are significant, even monumental - but like most technologies, reaping the benefits means considerable research and effort into leveraging the tools. In the case of OLAP databases, developers need to learn the differences between OLAP databases and relational databases, and how to use the tools that SSAS provides. In this article, I’ll walk through how to create an OLAP database and how to use the tools in Analysis Services to enhance the OLAP database. By the end, you’ll see why businesses and other organizations see the value of OLAP databases. I’ll also briefly cover some of the plans Microsoft has announced for the next generation of OLAP tools.