ADO MD provides easy access to multidimensional data from languages such as Microsoft® Visual Basic®, Microsoft® Visual C++®, and Microsoft® Visual J++™. ADO MD extends Microsoft® ActiveX® Data Objects (ADO) to include objects specific to multidimensional data, such as the CubeDef and Cellset objects. With ADO MD you can browse multidimensional schema, query a cube and retrieve the results.
Like ADO, ADO MD uses an underlying OLE DB provider to gain access to data. To work with ADO MD, the provider must be a multidimensional data provider (MDP) as defined by the OLE DB for OLAP specification. MDPs present data in multidimensional views as opposed to tabular data providers (TDPs) that present data in tabular views. Refer to the documentation for your OLAP OLE DB provider for more detailed information on the specific syntax and behaviors supported by your provider.
This document assumes a working knowledge of the Visual Basic programming language and a general knowledge of databases and OLAP. See Overview of Multidimensional Schemas and Data.