XML for Analysis (XMLA)

XML for Analysis (XMLA) is a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP)-based XML protocol, designed specifically for universal data access to any standard multidimensional data source residing on the Web. XMLA also eliminates the need to deploy a client component that exposes Component Object Model (COM) or Microsoft .NET Framework interfaces. XMLA is optimized for the Internet, when round trips to the server are expensive in terms of time and resources, and when stateful connections to a data source can limit user connections on the server.

XMLA is the native protocol for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services (SSAS), used for all interaction between a client application and an instance of Analysis Services. Analysis Services fully supports XML for Analysis 1.1, and also provides extensions to support metadata management, session management, and locking capabilities. Both Analysis Management Objects (AMO) and ADOMD.NET use the XMLA protocol when communicating with an instance of Analysis Services.

In This Section

Topic Description

XML for Analysis Overview (XMLA)

Provides a brief discussion of the XMLA protocol

Using XML for Analysis in Analysis Services (XMLA)

Describes how to use XMLA to manipulate data and metadata.

XML for Analysis Reference (XMLA)

Details the XMLA protocol as implemented in Analysis Services.

See Also

Other Resources

ADOMD.NET
Analysis Management Objects (AMO)
Schema Rowsets

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance