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In the world of data reporting and analysis, the use of Shared Datasets in SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a common requirement. A shared dataset can be used by multiple reports, and can have parameters to make the dataset more flexible. However, managing parameters in shared datasets can sometimes be tricky. In this blog post, we will explore how to use parameters with SSRS shared datasets, across multiple technologies including SQL Server 2019, MySQL 8.0, DB2 11.5, Azure SQL, and Azure Synapse.

Firstly, it's important to understand what a parameter in SSRS is. A parameter allows a user to specify the data to be used in a report by filtering the data using the values provided by the user. The parameters can be either single-valued or multi-valued, and they can be used in the query of the dataset to filter the data. The parameters are defined in the dataset properties.

Let's look at an example using SQL Server 2019. Suppose we have a dataset that returns products from a specific category. We can add a parameter to allow the user to select the category. Here is a T-SQL example:

-- SQL code goes here
DECLARE @CategoryName nvarchar(50);
SELECT ProductName, CategoryName FROM Products WHERE CategoryName = @CategoryName;

In the above example, @CategoryName is a parameter that the user will provide. This same concept can be applied to other SQL technologies as well. For instance, in MySQL 8.0, the syntax would be slightly different but the concept is the same.

-- MySQL code goes here
SET @CategoryName = 'Electronics';
SELECT ProductName, CategoryName FROM Products WHERE CategoryName = @CategoryName;

Similarly, in DB2 11.5, the syntax would be a bit different, but the principle remains the same. Here's how you would do it in DB2:

-- DB2 code goes here
DECLARE @CategoryName VARCHAR(50);
SELECT ProductName, CategoryName FROM Products WHERE CategoryName = @CategoryName;

In the modern cloud database services like Azure SQL and Azure Synapse, the use of parameters with shared datasets is also supported. The syntax and concepts remain the same, providing a familiar experience for developers and data scientists alike. Thus, no matter which SQL technology you are using, parameters in shared datasets can help make your data reporting and analysis more effective and user-friendly.

In conclusion, parameters in SSRS shared datasets are a powerful tool for creating flexible and user-friendly reports. They allow users to filter and customize the data in a report, making the reports more useful and relevant. Whether you're using SQL Server 2019, MySQL 8.0, DB2 11.5, Azure SQL, or Azure Synapse, the principles and techniques for using parameters with shared datasets remain the same. Mastering this technique will surely enhance your data reporting and analysis skills.