Choosing the deployment mode

As you understand, the choice you make about the deployment mode is very important, it is a choice that you make during installation of the server.

So what determines the right model for you? From a user perspective, the models look the same; the user can use both of them from any of the user tools that can connect to Analysis Services. The difference between the models is mainly something that the developer gets exposed to. As you saw in the architectural diagram previously, there are some differences on the languages that you use when developing the logic and the queries.

In the multidimensional world, you use a language called MDX (Multidimensional Expressions) to query the model and to write the business logic. MDX is a hard language to learn but it is extremely powerful when you really master it.

Tip

More information on how to use MDX to query your cube will be covered in Chapter 5, QueringYour Cube, in this book.

In the tabular world, on the other hand, you...