RE: DR 09-0099 - SML: No Normative References or Definitions for "MDX" and "OLAP"

[Francis Cave]

Hi Chris

I don't think this quite does the job. Here are your definitions:

-----

MDX - A multi-dimensional expression language, passed to an OLAP provider.
The method of interpreting of this is defined by the server-side OLAP
provider implementation.

OLAP - A type of online analytical processing database which uses a
multi-dimensional data model.

-----

The second sentence of the 'MDX' definition contains a typo: the second "of"
should be deleted. However, this is a trivial point.

The problem with these definitions is that they introduce further terms that
could cause uncertainty for implementers. What is an "OLAP provider"? What
is an "online analytical processing database"? Can these uncertainties be
avoided by either stripping out or providing further explanation of
potentially puzzling terms? For example:

-----

MDX - A multi-dimensional expression language, used to construct queries on
a multi-dimensional OLAP database. The method of interpreting expressions in
this language is defined by the OLAP database implementation.

OLAP - An acronym for "online analytical processing", an approach to data
analysis; hence the name of a specific type of database, used in online
analytical processing, which uses a multi-dimensional data model.

-----

These definitions are still somewhat circular, but perhaps beg fewer
questions?

Francis



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Rae [mailto:Chris.Rae at microsoft.com]
> Sent: 24 August 2010 21:39
> To: e-SC34-WG4 at ecma-international.org
> Subject: DR 09-0099 - SML: No Normative References or Definitions for
> "MDX" and "OLAP"
> 
> http://cid-
> c8ba0861dc5e4adc.office.live.com/view.aspx/Public%20Documents/2009/DR-
> 09-0099.docx
> 
> This DR covers the use of the terms "OLAP" and "MDX" in the standard
> without accompanying definitions. It also points out a few uses of
> "mdx" when "MDX" was meant.
> 
> Proposed changes are attached - essentially I'm defining both terms
> inside "terms and definitions" and then correcting the "mdx" instances
> that should have been "MDX".
> 
> Your thoughts,
> 
> Chris