Unload to txt file?

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Unload to txt file?

Lee Merrill

SSC Rookie

Points: 37
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December 29, 2005 at 3:34 pm

#92539

Hello,
I use to work with informix and was wondering if anyone knows the way in tsql to unload to a file
in informix it was
UNLOAD TO '/tmp/dump.txt' SELECT * FROM tablename;

Thanks in advanced

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TriggerMe SSChampion Points: 11752 More actions · Answer 1

In SQL Server there are a couple of choices however, if you wish to do it via T-SQL then you will have to use BCP.

Have a look in BOL for the syntax.

Kindest Regards,

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004641 More actions · Answer 2

Trigger,

How do you use BCP from T-SQL without using xp_CmdShell which is normally off limits to all but those members of the SA role?

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 738683 More actions · Answer 3

osql from the command line with a script might be easier, but it's not T-SQL.

Kenneth Wilhelmsson SSC-Dedicated Points: 30043 More actions · Answer 4

bcp isn't by far T-SQL either, it's a commandline exe just like isql and osql. You do need to use xp_cmdshell for all of these if you want to exec them from T-SQL code.

BULK INSERT is T-SQL, however it only does load from file, not unload to file.

xp_cmdshell by default is sa/sysadmin only privs required, however you can use the proxy account for non-admin users to use xp_cmdshell

/Kenneth

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004641 More actions · Answer 5

Steve and Ken...

Yup, I knew that... I just thought that since Trigger recommended it as a T_SQL command, there might be some neat trick he was using to use it without xp_CmdShell and I wanted to know what the trick was...

Trigger?

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

TriggerMe SSChampion Points: 11752 More actions · Answer 6

No new trick! You have to use xp_cmdshell.

I have perfromed this many times. However, I restrict this process to the DBA's not the end users.

Kindest Regards,

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004641 More actions · Answer 7

That's what I thought... thanks for the feedback, Trigger.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)