SQL Server Integration Services
In this blog describe the concept of SQL Server Integrated Services (SSIS). SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a tool that we use to perform ETL (extract, transform, and load) operations of data. Here, we explain the features of SQL server integration services, advantages and disadvantages of SSIS.
IntroductionSSIS stands for SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS). SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a tool that we use to perform ETL (extract, transform, and load) operations of data. Also SSIS is used to perform operations like loading the data based on the need, performing different transformations on the data like doing calculations (Sum, Average, etc.) and to define a workflow of how the process should flow and perform some tasks on the day to day activity.
Microsoft Integration Services is a platform for building enterprise-level data integration and data transformations solutions. You use Integration Services to solve complex business problems by copying or downloading files, updating data warehouses, mining data, and so on.
Note: SQL server integration services is not for SQL Server express editions. It required enterprise edition.
Features of SSIS
The SSIS Import/Export Wizard lets the user create packages that move data from a single data source to a destination with no transformations. The Wizard can quickly move data from a variety of source types to a variety of destination types, including text files and other SQL Server instances.
The SSIS Import/Export Wizard lets the user create packages that move data from a single data source to a destination with no transformations. The Wizard can quickly move data from a variety of source types to a variety of destination types, including text files and other SQL Server instances.
Developers tasked with creating or maintaining SSIS packages use a visual development tool based on Microsoft Visual Studio called the SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS). It allows users to edit SSIS packages using a drag-and-drop user interface. A scripting environment in which to write programming code is also available in the tool. A package holds a variety of elements that define a workflow. Upon package execution, the tool provides color-coded, real-time monitoring.
Connections
A connection includes the information necessary to connect to a particular data source. Tasks can reference the connection by its name, allowing the details of the connection to be changed or configured at run time.
Tasks
A task is an atomic work unit that performs some action. There are a couple of dozen tasks that ship in the box, ranging from the file system task (which can copy or move files) to the data transformation task. The data transformation task actually copies data; it implements the ETL features of the product
Precedence constraints
Tasks are linked by precedence constraints. The precedence constraint preceding a particular task must be met before that task executes. The run time supports executing tasks in parallel if their precedence constraints so allow. Constraints may otherwise allow different paths of execution depending on the success or failure of other tasks. Together with the tasks, precedence constraints comprise the workflow of the package.
Event handlers
A workflow can be designed for a number of events in the different scopes where they might occur. In this way, tasks may be executed in response to happenings within the package —such as cleaning up after errors.
Variables
Tasks may reference variables to store results, make decisions, or affect their configuration.
Parameters (SQL Server 2012 Integration Services)
Parameters allow you to assign values to properties within packages at the time of package execution. You can project parameters and package parameters. In general, if you are deploying a package using the package deployment model, you should use configurations instead of parameters.
DTS
Data Transformation Services (also known as DTS) was the predecessor to the SSIS system. It is a set of objects using an ETS tool (which means a tool that extracts, transforms, and loads information into a database for warehousing) in order to extract, transform, and load this information to and/or from a database.
DTS
Data Transformation Services (also known as DTS) was the predecessor to the SSIS system. It is a set of objects using an ETS tool (which means a tool that extracts, transforms, and loads information into a database for warehousing) in order to extract, transform, and load this information to and/or from a database.
DTS was an original component of the Microsoft SQL Server 2000, and at its inception, was always used with the SQL Server databases. Even though it was an integral part of the server, DTS was also easily used independently from the Microsoft server, in conjunction with other databases. It is capable of transforming and loading data from heterogeneous sources, using OLE DB, ODBC, or files specified as text only, into any database that supports them.
Why use SSIS instead of DTS?
It is likely that Microsoft will discontinue the support for DTS/ SQL SERVER
2000 later or sooner, so it better to migrate your DTS.
Separation of Data Flow Engine from the Control Flow Engine or SSIS
Runtime Engine and hence improves the performance by a significant
amount.
The DTS uses ELTL strategy (i.e. they have first to load data from files to
data base before making transformations) while SSIS uses ETL strategy.
Package Configuration. Using expressions and configurations it is much
easier to make packages dynamic.