Analysis Services Processing Task : order of object processing

Question

Hi,

I need to ask you a "newbie" question I can't seem to resolve through other sources:

Under Processing Settings, the Analysis Services Processing Task allows a developer to add objects to an "object list". The developer may thus click on "Add. . ." and may expand the cube and select a combination of measure groups and dimensions in no particular order.

However, as a rule dimensions should always be processed BEFORE measure groups. Assuming the list is processed sequentially from top to bottom [Processing Order on the package I am experimenting with is currently set to "Sequential"] then my Object List has measure groups getting processed before dimensions! Unless Analysis Services Processing Task "knows" to process the dimensions before the measure groups then this is going to cause a problem. In addition, there does not appear to be any facility on the Analysis Services Processing Task to reposition the object in the list.

Clearly, in my ignorance I could create two Analysis Services Processing Tasks one that just deals only with dimensions and another that follows that deals only with measures. But I suspect that there is a flaw in my understanding that would make this approach unnecessary.

Can anyone shed a little light on this please?

Rgds, Don

Answer 1

Referring to your text: "Clearly, in my ignorance I could create two Analysis Services Processing Tasks one that just deals only with dimensions and another that follows that deals onlywith measures. But I suspect that there is a flaw in my understanding that would make this approach unnecessary."

It's common for developers to create two separate task, one to deal with dimensions and another to deal with measure groups. So, it's not ignorance. It's a good practice - keeps things atomic and clear. I would recommend doing that.

You are also correct with the processing task. You can't change the order of objects once you added them. Here is a tip though: When checking the check boxes for objects to be added, follow a sequential order you want them to be processed. SSIS will follow the same order when displaying and processing these objects. This is definitely less confusing than having separate tasks.

Hope this helps! 

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Regards, Samuel Vanga Twitter Blog

Answer 2

Many thanks Samuel.

Reassuring to know I was on the right track.

Rgds, Don