Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services: DAX Basics

  • 7/15/2012

Summary

In this chapter, you explored the syntax of DAX, its data types, and the available operators and functions. The most important concept you have learned is the difference between a calculated column and a measure. Although both are authored in DAX, the difference between them is huge, and you will always have to choose whether a value should be computed by using a calculated column or a measure.

You also learned the following:

  • How to handle errors and empty values in DAX expressions by using common patterns.

  • The groups of functions available in DAX. These functions can be learned only by using them; we provided the syntax and a brief explanation. During the demo of the next chapters, you learn how to use them in practice.

  • With the last exercise, you put into practice some of the key concepts you learned, creating a complete reporting system that, although simple, already shows some of the power of Tabular.