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Whitepapers

Analysis Services Distinct Count Optimization

SQL Server Best Practices Article

Published: April 17, 2008
Writer: Denny Lee
Contributors: Richard Tkachuk, Akshai Mirchandani, Sasha (Alexander) Berger, Thomas Kejser, Stuart Ozer
Technical Reviewers: Steve Pontello, Lindsey Allen, Lubor Kollar, Nicholas Dritsas, Ricardo Silva, Dave Wickert, Anne Zorner

Applies To: SQL Server 2005 SP2
Note: The tests in this white paper were performed using SQL Server 2005 SP2; however, they also apply to SQL Server 2008.

Distinct count (such as unique visitor counts on a Web site) calculations provide valuable information but come with a number of performance challenges. This white paper describes tests that were performed to determine how best to optimize these calculations and includes best practices based on the test results.

For more information, please refer to the Analysis Services Distinct Count Optimization whitepaper.

 

Comments

 

Top 10 Lists said:

Authors: Thomas Kejser, Denny Lee Contributors: Runying Mao Technical Reviewers: Burzin Patel, Kevin

October 1, 2008 11:58 AM
 

RichardLees said:

This is a great whitepaper and has/will be useful to many cube designers.  

I would like to add that whenever someone is looking at putting in a Distinct Count measure, they should understand the ramifications (cost) and understand that there is an alternative - to use dynamic MDX on the dimension key.  See richardlees.blogspot.com/.../alternative-to-physical-distinct-count.html

Note: I am not suggesting that people avoid Distinct Count, just that they know the cost and are aware that there is an alternative and check that it doesn't better suit their needs.

Richard

October 13, 2008 1:11 AM
 

Analysis Services Distinct Count Optimization « Denny Lee said:

Pingback from  Analysis Services Distinct Count Optimization «  Denny Lee

November 10, 2009 8:42 AM
 

Top 10 SQL Server Integration Services Best Practices - .NET Explored said:

Pingback from  Top 10 SQL Server Integration Services Best Practices - .NET Explored

December 18, 2009 3:11 PM
 

техническая документация на русском языке said:

Normal 0 false false false RU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name

January 26, 2010 8:34 AM
 

Whitepaper in deutsch said:

Die zehn besten SQL Server Integration Services-Methoden Autoren: Thomas Kejser, Denny Lee Mitwirkende

May 3, 2010 5:24 AM

About denny.lee

Denny Lee is a Senior Program Manager based out of Redmond, WA in the SQL Customer Advisory Team (SQLCAT) - DW/BI Group. He has more than 13 years experience as a developer and consultant implementing software solutions to complex OLTP and data warehousing problems. His industry experience includes accounting, human resources, automotive, retail, web analytics, telecommunications, and healthcare. He had helped create the first OLAP Services reporting application in production at Microsoft and is a co-author of "Professional Microsoft PowerPivot for Excel and SharePoint", “Professional Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services 2008 with MDX”, “Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Data Warehousing with Analysis Services” and “Transforming Healthcare through Information [Ed. Joan Ash] (2009)”. In addition to contributing to the SQLCAT Blog, SQL Server Best Practices, and SQLCAT.com, you can also review Denny's Blog (http://dennyglee.com). Denny specializes in developing solutions for Enterprise Data Warehousing, Analysis Services, and Data Mining; he also has focuses in the areas of Privacy and Healthcare.
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