How to retrieve data from SSAS Cube using EDMX?

Question

I was given a cube with all relevant information. Now, I want to query cube and get the data through .net EDMX framework.

Could anyone help me out from where I should start on this? I am really confused and have no idea how to use MDX with edmx.

Is it possible to get the data from Cubes without using MDX using EDMX with LINQ?

Answer 1

It's not possible currently, there is a company who do a version of LinqToMdx, I think they've posted on here before, I don't think they go via the EDMX route exactly.

Standard method in .Net is ADOMD.Net http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms123477.aspx

A nice way of getting data is via the CellSet class, as it contains cells of both the native value and the formatted string for measures:

    CellSet adomdCellSet;

    using (var adomdConnection = new AdomdConnection())
    {
        adomdConnection.ConnectionString = "YourConnectionString";
        adomdConnection.Open();

        var adomdCommand = adomdConnection.CreateCommand();
        adomdCommand.CommandText = "YourMDXQuery";

        adomdCellSet = adomdCommand.ExecuteCellSet();
    }

    return adomdCellSet;

Edit: Found the site of the guys who wrote a provider - I can't vouch for them as I've never used it, but it looks interesting http://www.agiledesignllc.com/Products.htm