Methods

The following methods provide a standard way for XML applications to access basic information from the server. Because these methods are invoked using SOAP, they accept input and deliver output in XML. By default, these methods are stateless, so the server context ends at the completion of any command.

The simplified interface model has two methods.

Discover obtains information and metadata from a Web Service. This information can include a list of available data sources and data about a data source provider. Properties define and shape the data obtained. Discover allows you to specify the types of information that the client application needs. The use of generic interface and properties enables extensibility without necessitating rewriting existing functions.

Execute executes Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) or other provider-specific commands against an XMLA data source. The following diagram illustrates a possible implementation of an n-tiered application.

Provided with the URL for a server hosting a Web Service, the client uses SOAP and HTTP protocols to send Discover and Execute calls to the server. The server instantiates the XMLA provider, which handles the calls. The XMLA provider fetches the data, packages it into XML, and sends the data to the client.

The Discover and Execute methods enable users to determine what can be queried on a server and, based on this, submit commands to be executed.

The XML namespace for these methods is “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:xml-analysis”. Connection information is supplied in each method call with the connection properties.