Sql-server – How tomport table from an ODBC Database

odbcsql serversqlbulkcopy

I have an ODBC Database (some third party DB) where I have a bunch of tables. I am able to use 'GetSchema' to get a list of tables in there. I am also abe to utilize SQLBulkCopy to copy Data from these tables to SQL Server tables (only when I have created a Destination table with the same structure in SQL Server).

But here is the scenario – an update was applied to the ODBC database and now it has a new table (I am able to figure that out via comparing Old & new list of tables in ODBC database.

Is there a way to either Import the entire table (empty or with Data) OR Generate SQL script for the Source table so that Destination table can be created before using Bulk Copy operation ?

thanks
RD

Best Answer

Why don't you use the import/export wizard? You can access it by right-clicking on a database in SSMS, and selecting Tasks > Import Data.

On the "Select Source Tables and Views" page, click "Edit Mappings" and "Edit SQL", if you only want the CREATE TABLE SQL, otherwise you can use the wizard to perform the import as well.

Syntax:

ALTER TABLE {TABLENAME} 
ADD {COLUMNNAME} {TYPE} {NULL|NOT NULL} 
CONSTRAINT {CONSTRAINT_NAME} DEFAULT {DEFAULT_VALUE}
WITH VALUES

Example:

ALTER TABLE SomeTable
        ADD SomeCol Bit NULL --Or NOT NULL.
 CONSTRAINT D_SomeTable_SomeCol --When Omitted a Default-Constraint Name is autogenerated.
    DEFAULT (0)--Optional Default-Constraint.
WITH VALUES --Add if Column is Nullable and you want the Default Value for Existing Records.

Notes:

Optional Constraint Name:
If you leave out CONSTRAINT D_SomeTable_SomeCol then SQL Server will autogenerate
a Default-Contraint with a funny Name like: DF__SomeTa__SomeC__4FB7FEF6

Optional With-Values Statement:
The WITH VALUES is only needed when your Column is Nullable
and you want the Default Value used for Existing Records.
If your Column is NOT NULL, then it will automatically use the Default Value
for all Existing Records, whether you specify WITH VALUES or not.

How Inserts work with a Default-Constraint:
If you insert a Record into SomeTable and do not Specify SomeCol's value, then it will Default to 0.
If you insert a Record and Specify SomeCol's value as NULL (and your column allows nulls),
then the Default-Constraint will not be used and NULL will be inserted as the Value.

Notes were based on everyone's great feedback below.
Special Thanks to:
@Yatrix, @WalterStabosz, @YahooSerious, and @StackMan for their Comments.

Sql – How to return only the Date from a SQL Server DateTime datatype

SELECT DATEADD(dd, 0, DATEDIFF(dd, 0, @your_date))

for example

SELECT DATEADD(dd, 0, DATEDIFF(dd, 0, GETDATE()))

gives me

2008-09-22 00:00:00.000

Pros:

No varchar<->datetime conversions required
No need to think about locale

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Sql – Add a column with a default value to an existing table in SQL Server

Syntax:

Example:

Notes:

Sql – How to return only the Date from a SQL Server DateTime datatype

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