In Microsoft SQL Server creating a table structure is ...

[HCHenry]

In Microsoft SQL Server creating a table structure is accomplished using which of the following?
 
  A) Diagrams B) Stored procedures
  C) Tables D) Views

Question 2

Describe online analytical processing.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[juicepod]

Answer to Question 1

C

Answer to Question 2

Online analytical processing (OLAP) refers to the process of quickly conducting complex, multidimensional analyses of data stored in a database that is optimized for retrieval, typically using graphical software tools. OLAP tools enable users to analyze different dimensions of data beyond simple data summaries and data aggregations of normal database queries.

The chief component of an OLAP system is the OLAP server, which understands how data is organized in the database and has special functions for analyzing the data. The use of dedicated databases allows for tremendous increases in retrieval speed. OLAP systems preaggregate data so that only the subset of the data necessary for the queries is extracted, greatly improving performance.

OLAP systems are designed for efficient retrieval of data and categorize data as measures and dimensions. Measures, sometimes called facts, are the values or numbers the user wants to analyze, such as the sum of sales or the number of orders placed. Dimensions provide a way to summarize the data, such as region, time, or product line. To enable these multidimensional analyses, OLAP arranges the data as so-called cubes. An OLAP cube is a data structure allowing for multiple dimensions to be added to a traditional two-dimensional table. Analyzing the data on subsets of the dimensions is referred to as slicing and dicing.