What Is SQL BI

I am learning SQL Language with Business Intelligence (BI) want to know what is SQL BI Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS). Will you tell me some basic details about this and also provide me some basic Business Intelligence Terms?

[Kiran Chandar]

Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS) is the former IDE from Microsoft, and was used to develop data analysis and Business Intelligence solutions utilizing the Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, Reporting Services and Integration Services.

It is based on the Microsoft Visual Studio development environment, but customized with the SQL Server services-specific extensions and project types.

Business Intelligence Markup Language (Biml) can be used in BIDS to create end-to-end BI solutions by translating Biml metadata into SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) and SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) assets for the Microsoft SQL Server platform.

BIDS is not supported with Visual Studio 2010 and later, and has been replaced by SQL Server Data Tools - Business Intelligence.

Some Business Intelligence Terms

Ad Hoc Query – Ability to create an immediate ‘request for information’ using an analytical reporting tool to answer a specific business-related query.

Aggregation – Predefined summaries based on comprehensive data in the data warehouse.

Atomic data – Topmost level of detail in the data warehouse.

Attribute – Field represented by a column in reports, tables and charts.

Cube – A powerful analysis tool that is used for viewing and analyzing data in a multi-dimensional format, from any angle, in any combination, through a ‘slice and dice’ and drilldown approach.

Data – Factual information for analysis.

Data Mart – A logical subset of related information, typically around one or a few business processes, or a particular subject area.

Data Warehouse – A repository of well-organized corporate data for Business Analysis and Reporting. It is also a collection of data marts.

Database – A collection of data arranged for convenient and quick search and retrieval.

OLAP – Online Analytical Processing is a category of database software that provides an interface to help users quickly and interactively scrutinize the results in a variety of dimensions of the data.

Balanced Scorecard – A Performance management tool that recapitulates an organization’s performance from several standpoints on a single page.

Dashboard – A reporting tool that presents key indicators on a single screen, which includes measurements, metrics, and scorecards.