Developing SQL Data Models — Question 15

You are optimizing a Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) multidimensional model over a SQL Server database. You have a table named City which has several dimensions that do not contain a space in their names. One dimension is named SalesTerritory rather than Sales Territory.
You need to ensure that Report developers can drag the attribute name to the report rather than having to re-label the attributes by implementing spaces. You must minimize administrative effort and not break any upstream processes.
What should you do?

Answer options

• A. In the SQL Server database, run the system procedure sp_rename to rename the columns in the base tables with the target name.
• B. In SQL Server Management Studio, navigate to the City table, expand the columns, press F2, and rename the columns in the base tables.
• C. In the SQL Server database, implement a SYNONYM.
• D. In the SQL Server database, implement a view over the City table that aliases the columns in the tables.

Correct answer: D

Explanation

Implementing a view that aliases the columns in the City table allows the attribute names to be presented with spaces without changing the actual column names, thus maintaining compatibility with existing processes. Options A and B involve renaming columns directly, which could disrupt upstream processes. Option C creates a synonym but does not solve the issue of presenting names with spaces for reporting.