For loading text, CSV or XML files into SQL Server, the Log Parser utility, with its amazing SQL engine, is likely to be the obvious choice. Although initially developed purely for converting IIS logs, the Log Parser can turn its hand to a range of formats including even event logs or the Windows registry.
2013-11-20
2,923 reads
Too often, the batch systems that underlie a lot of database processing just grow without conscious design. When runs start to extend beyond their allotted time, and tuning no longer solves the problem, it is often discovered that batches are run in series, with draconian error handling. It is time to impose some rational design, and Nigel is a seasoned healer of batch processes.
2013-10-30
3,753 reads
Here's a great method for managing ETL for data marts and small data warehouses with just T-SQL.
2012-12-27
5,007 reads
Recently while working on a project to import data from an Excel worksheet using SSIS, I realized that sometimes the SSIS Package failed even though when there were no changes in the structure/schema of the Excel worksheet. I investigated it and I noticed that the SSIS Package succeeded for some set of files, but for others it failed. I found that the structure/schema of the worksheet from both these sets of Excel files were the same, the data was the only difference. How come just changing the data can make an SSIS Package fail? What actually causes this failure? What can we do to fix it?
2012-10-08
3,887 reads
Managing Data removal During ETL. First of Comprehensive tools designed for ease of use especially in enterprise Projects.
2011-09-13
4,465 reads
Learn how to dynamically load data from ETL load files using SSIS as a shell. The code downloads files from FTP, parses them and loads them into the database.
2013-05-03 (first published: 2010-10-19)
27,709 reads
A Technique to deal with moving data from multiple schemas into one table
2010-08-09
6,398 reads
Extract-load-transform integration can offer performance and cost advantages over ETL. Here's how to pick the right approach.
2010-07-14
4,934 reads
Importing Excel Spreadsheets is something that we often do with SQL Server. However it's not as easy as you would like as we move to the 64 bit platform. Peter He brings us a method that will work on all platforms.
2010-02-17
20,565 reads
Importing data into SQL Server is one of the strengths of the platform. However it can require a bit of work for a DBA to make this an automated process. New author David Jansen brings us a technique for importing Sharepoint and IIS logs into SQL Server for later analysis.
2009-12-24
3,927 reads
By Steve Jones
This was Redgate in 2010, spread across the globe. First the EU/US Here’s Asia...
By John
Today is Christmas and while I do not expect anybody to actual be reading...
By Bert Wagner
Until recently, my family's 90,000+ photos have been hidden away in the depths of...
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Happy Holidays, Let's Do Nerdy...
Comments posted to this topic are about the item UNISTR Escape
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Celebrating Tomorrow
In SQL Server 2025, I run this command:
SELECT UNISTR('*3041*308A*304C\3068 and good night', '*') as "A Classic";
What is returned? (assume the database has an appropriate collation)
A: 
B: 
C: 
See possible answers