SSIS Use DataFlow task with variables instead of a source database - sql-server-2008

I have a task that I am working on that has me stumped. Hoping you can help me. I am using a data flow task which is basically inserting a row into a sqlite table. I was doing this using a "SQL Task" but unfortunately the only way to successfully insert a guid into the sqlite table is to convert it as a byte stream using the data flow task. I do not want to use a source database because my data is not flowing from one table to another. I really just want to take my populated variables and convert them to a byte stream which i can then insert successfully into a sqlite database. The issue is, i cannot use a dataflow task without a source database.
My work-around so far has been to declare a source database/table and only one column (but never use it in the data flow). This works fine and I am unable to insert the row into sqlite using my pre-set variables, but i am left with a somewhat annoying message in my Output log every time i do this:
Warning: 0x80047076 at , SSIS.Pipeline: The output column "" (117) on output "OLE DB Source Output" (11) and component "OLE DB Source" (1) is not subsequently used in the Data Flow task. Removing this unused output column can increase Data Flow task performance.
Anyone know of a good way to get this warning not to show up?

In your dataflow choose a Script Component.
When prompted to choose Source, Destination, or Transformation, choose Source.
Add your pre populated variables to the CustomProperties.ReadOnlyVariables section of the script tab.
Go to the Inputs and Outputs section.
Add a column to the default output for each of your variables.
In your script (if using C#) put something similar to the following in the CreateNewOutputRows() section
Output0Buffer.AddRow();
Output0Buffer.ContainerName = Variables.ContainerName;
Output0Buffer.TaskName = Variables.TaskName;
Output0Buffer.TaskStartDate = Variables.ContainerStartTime;
Save your script.
Connect your script component to your destination object.

If this is causing your package execution to get failed, you got an option of ignoring these warnings/errors..
Just double click the Source block in Dataflow and navigate to the last tab("Error OUtput") in left side pane and you need to select the option to ignore the errors. (I dont know eactly what phrase in that option will do it )

Related

processing multiple files in business objects data services

I am new to the Business Objects Data services.
I have to run a dataflow reading from a file. Filename should be read based on wild chars like Platform. And I want to run the dataflow only if the file exists, if file is not present , it should not error out or should not do anything but it should just move on to the next dataflow or workflow in the job.
I tried below code to check if the file exists as built_in function File_Exists cannot check the file based on wild chars.
*$FILEEXISTSFLAG= exec('/bin/ksh',' "ls xxxxxx/Platform.csv',8);*
My intention is based on the value assigned to $FILEEXISTSFLAG from above code, I will decide whether to execute the data flow or not (if $FILEEXISTSFLAG is null do nothing otherwise execute the data flow ) but its retrieving below output.
*ls: cannot access /xxxxxx/Platform.csv: No such file*
Is there any other way to achieve this?
I was able to solve the above problem by using the index function.
$FILEEXISTSFLAG is containing a value like "ls: cannot access Platform: No such file or directory ". So, I have used the index function as below. So if the output is not null for below index function, it will execute the dataflow, otherwise it will do nothing.
index( $FILEEXISTSFLAG , 'No such file',1)
Thanks,
Phani.

Captuing runtime for each task within a dataflow in SSIS2012

In my SSIS package I have a dataflow that looks something like this.
My requirement is to log the end time of each flatfile destination (Or the time when each of the flat files is created) , in a SQL server table. To be more clear, there will be one row per flatfile in the log table. Is there any simple way(preferably) to accomplish this? Thanks in advance.
Update: I ended up using a script task after the dataflow and read the creation time of each of the file created in the dataflow. I also used same script task to insert logs into the table, just to keep things in one place. For details refer the post masked as answer.
In order to get the accurate date and timestamp of each flat file created as the destination, you'll need to create three new global variables and set up a for-each loop container in the control flow following your current data flow task and then add to the for-each loop container a script task that will read from one flat file at a time the date/time information. That information will then be saved to one of the new global variables that can then be applied in a second SQL task (also in the for-each loop) to write the information to a database table.
The following link provides a good example of the steps you'll need to apply. There are a few extra steps not applicable that you can easily exclude.
http://microsoft-ssis.blogspot.com/2011/01/use-filedates-in-ssis.html
Hope this helps.
After looking more closely at the toolbox, I think the best way to do this is to move each source/destination pairing into its own dataflow and use the OnPostExecute event of each dataflow to write to the SQL table.
Wanted to provide more detail to #TabAlleman's approach.
For each control flow task with a name like Bene_hic, you will have a source file and a destination file.
On the 'Event Handlers' tab for that executable (use the drop-down list,) you can create the OnPostExecute event.
In that event, I have two SQL tasks. One generates the SQL to execute for this control flow task, the second executes the SQL.
These SQL tasks are dependent on two user variables scoped in the OnPostExecute event. The EvaluateAsExpression property for both is set to True. The first one, Variable1, is used as a template for the SQL to execute and has a value like:
"SELECT execSQL FROM db.Ssis_onPostExecute
where stgTable = '" + #[System::SourceName] + "'"
#[System::SourceName] is an SSIS system variable containing the name of the control flow task.
I have a table in my database named Ssis_onPostExecute with two fields, an execSQL field with values like:
DELETE FROM db.TableStats WHERE TABLENAME = 'Bene_hic';
INSERT INTO db.TableStats
SELECT CreatorName ,t.tname, CURRENT_TIMESTAMP ,rcnt FROM
(SELECT databasename, TABLENAME AS tname, CreatorName FROM dbc.TablesV) t
INNER JOIN
(SELECT 'Bene_hic' AS tname,
COUNT(*) AS rcnt FROM db.Bene_hic) u ON
t.tname = u.tname
WHERE t.databasename = 'db' AND t.tname = 'Bene_hic';
and a stgTable field with the name of the corresponding control flow task in the package (case-sensitive!) like Bene_hic
In the first SQL task (named SQL,) I have the SourceVariable set to a user variable (User::Variable1) and the ResultSet property set to 'single row.' The Result Set detail includes a Result Name = 0 and Variable name as the second user variable (User::Variable2.)
In the second SQL task (exec,) I have the SQLSourceType property set to Variable and the SourceVariable property set to User::Variable2.
Then the package is able to copy the data in the source object to the destination, and whether it fails or not, enter a row in a table with the timestamp and number of rows copied, along with the table name and anything else you want to track.
Also, when debugging, you have to run the whole package, not just one task in the event. The variables won't be set correctly otherwise.
HTH, it took me forever to figure all this stuff out, working from examples on several web sites. I'm using code to generate the SQL in the execSQL field for each of the 42 control flow tasks, meaning I created 84 user variables.
-Beth
The easy solution will be:
1) drag the OLE DB Command from the tool box after the Fatfile destination.
2) Update Script to update table with current date when Flat file destination is successful.
3) You can create a variable (scope is project) with value systemdatetime.
4) You might have to create another variable depending on your package construct if Success or fail

Importing flat file which has changing column order using SSIS [duplicate]

Problem.
I regularly receive a feed files from different suppliers. Although the column names are consistent the problem comes when some suppliers send text files with more or less columns in there feed file.
Furthermore the arrangement of these files are inconsistent.
Other than the Dynamic data flow task provided by Cozy Roc is there another way I could import these files. I am not a C# guru but i am driven torwards using a "Script Task" control flow or "Script Component" Data flow task.
Any suggestion, samples or direction will greatly be appreciated.
http://www.cozyroc.com/ssis/data-flow-task
Some forums
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic525799-148-1.aspx#bm526400
http://www.bidn.com/forums/microsoft-business-intelligence/integration-services/26/dynamic-data-flow
Off the top of my head, I have a 50% solution for you.
The problem
SSIS really cares about meta data so variations in it tend to result in exceptions. DTS was far more forgiving in this sense. That strong need for consistent meta data makes use of the Flat File Source troublesome.
Query based solution
If the problem is the component, let's not use it. What I like about this approach is that conceptually, it's the same as querying a table-the order of columns does not matter nor does the presence of extra columns matter.
Variables
I created 3 variables, all of type string: CurrentFileName, InputFolder and Query.
InputFolder is hard wired to the source folder. In my example, it's C:\ssisdata\Kipreal
CurrentFileName is the name of a file. During design time, it was input5columns.csv but that will change at run time.
Query is an expression "SELECT col1, col2, col3, col4, col5 FROM " + #[User::CurrentFilename]
Connection manager
Set up a connection to the input file using the JET OLEDB driver. After creating it as described in the linked article, I renamed it to FileOLEDB and set an expression on the ConnectionManager of "Data Source=" + #[User::InputFolder] + ";Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Extended Properties=\"text;HDR=Yes;FMT=CSVDelimited;\";"
Control Flow
My Control Flow looks like a Data flow task nested in a Foreach file enumerator
Foreach File Enumerator
My Foreach File enumerator is configured to operate on files. I put an expression on the Directory for #[User::InputFolder] Notice that at this point, if the value of that folder needs to change, it'll correctly be updated in both the Connection Manager and the file enumerator. In "Retrieve file name", instead of the default "Fully Qualified", choose "Name and Extension"
In the Variable Mappings tab, assign the value to our #[User::CurrentFileName] variable
At this point, each iteration of the loop will change the value of the #[User::Query to reflect the current file name.
Data Flow
This is actually the easiest piece. Use an OLE DB source and wire it as indicated.
Use the FileOLEDB connection manager and change the Data Access mode to "SQL Command from variable." Use the #[User::Query] variable in there, click OK and you're ready to work.
Sample data
I created two sample files input5columns.csv and input7columns.csv All of the columns of 5 are in 7 but 7 has them in a different order (col2 is ordinal position 2 and 6). I negated all the values in 7 to make it readily apparent which file is being operated on.
col1,col3,col2,col5,col4
1,3,2,5,4
1111,3333,2222,5555,4444
11,33,22,55,44
111,333,222,555,444
and
col1,col3,col7,col5,col4,col6,col2
-1111,-3333,-7777,-5555,-4444,-6666,-2222
-111,-333,-777,-555,-444,-666,-222
-1,-3,-7,-5,-4,-6,-2
-11,-33,-77,-55,-44,-666,-222
Running the package results in these two screen shots
What's missing
I don't know of a way to tell the query based approach that it's OK if a column doesn't exist. If there's a unique key, I suppose you could define your query to have only the columns that must be there and then perform lookups against the file to try and obtain the columns that ought to be there and not fail the lookup if the column doesn't exist. Pretty kludgey though.
Our solution. We use parent child packages. In the parent pacakge we take the individual client files and transform them to our standard format files then call the child package to process the standard import using the file we created. This only works if the client is consistent in what they send though, if they try to change their format from what they agreed to send us, we return the file.

SSIS - Load flat files, save file names to SQL Table

I have a complex task that I need to complete. It worked well before since there was only one file but this is now changing. Each file has one long row that is first bulk inserted into a staging table. From here I'm supposed to save the file name into another table and then insert the the broken up parts of the staging table data. This is not the problem. We might have just one file or even multiple files to load at once. What needs to happen is this:
The first SSIS task is a script task that does some checks. The second task prepares the file list.
The staging table is truncated.
The third task is currently a Foreach loop container task that uses the files from the file list and processes it:
File is loaded into table using Bulk Insert task.
The file name needs to be passed as a variable to the next process. This was done with a C# task before but it is now a bit more complex since there could be more than one file and each file name needs to be saved separately.
The last task is a SQL task that executes a stored procedure with the file name as input variable.
My problem is that before it was only one file. This was easy enough. What would the best way be to go about it now?
In Data Flow Task which imports your file create a derrived column. Populate it with system variable value of filename. Load filename into the same table.
Use a Execute SQL task to retrieve distinc list of filenames into a recordset (Object type variable).
Use For Each Loop container to loop through the recordset. Place your code inside the container. Code will recieve filename from the loop as a value of a variable and process the file.
Use Execute SQL task in For Each Loop container to call SP. Pass filename as a parameter like:
Exec sp_MyCode param1, param2, ?
Where ? will pass filename INPUT as a string
EDIT
To make Flat File Connection to pick up the file specified by a variable - use Connection String property of the Flat File Connection
Select FF Connection, right click and select Properties
Click on empty field for Expressions and then click ellipsis that appears. With Expressions you can define every property of the object listed there using variables. Many objects in SSIS can have Expressions specified.
Add an Expression, select Connection String Property and define an expression with absolute path to the file (just to be on a safe side, it can be a UNC path too).
All the above can be accomplished using C# code in the script task itself. You can loop through all the files one by one and for each file :
1. Bulk Copy the data to the staging
2. Insert the filename to the other table
You can modify the logic as per your requirement and desired execution flow.
Add a colunm to your staging table - FileName
Capture the filename in a SSIS Variable (using expressions) then run something like this each loop:
UPDATE StagingTable SET FileName=? WHERE FileName IS NULL
Why are you messing about with C#? From your description it's totally unnecessary.

ssis 2005, write on excel files [duplicate]

I am working with SSIS 2008. I have a select query name sqlquery1 that returns some rows:
aq
dr
tb
This query is not implemented on the SSIS at the moment.
I am calling a stored procedure from an OLE DB Source within a Data Flow Task. I would like to pass the data obtained from the query to the stored procedure parameter.
Example:
I would like to call the stored procedure by passing the first value aq
storedProdecure1 'aq'
then pass the second value dr
storedProdecure1 'dr'
I guess it would be something like a cycle. I need this because the data generated by the OLE DB Source through the stored procedure needs to be sent to another destination and this must be done for each record of the sqlquery1.
I would like to know how to call the query sqlquery1 and pass its output to call another stored procedure.
How do I need to do this in SSIS?
Conceptually, what your solution will look like is an execute your source query to generate your result set. Store that into a variable and then you'll need to do iterate through those results and for each row, you'll want to call your stored procedure with that row's value and send the results into a new Excel file.
I'd envision your package looking something like this
An Execute SQL Task, named "SQL Load Recordset", attached to a Foreach Loop Container, named "FELC Shred Recordset". Nested inside there I have a File System Task, named "FST Copy Template" which is a precedence for a Data Flow Task, named "DFT Generate Output".
Set up
As you're a beginner, I'm going to try and explain in detail. To save yourself some hassle, grab a copy of BIDSHelper. It's a free, open source tool that improves the design experience in BIDS/SSDT.
Variables
Click on the background of your Control Flow. With nothing selected, right-click and select Variables. In the new window that pops up, click the button that creates a New Variable 4 times. The reason for clicking on nothing is that until SQL Server 2012, the default behaviour of variable creation is to create them at the scope of the current object. This has resulted in many lost hairs for new and experienced developers alike. Variable names are case sensitive so be aware of that as well.
Rename Variable to RecordSet. Change the Data type from Int32 to Object
Rename Variable1 to ParameterValue. Change the data type from Int32 to String
Rename Variable2 to TemplateFile. Change the data type from Int32 to String. Set the value to the path of your output Excel File. I used C:\ssisdata\ShredRecordset.xlsx
Rename Variable 4 to OutputFileName. Change the data type from Int32 to String. Here we're going to do something slightly advanced. Click on the variable and hit F4 to bring up the Properties window. Change the value of EvaluateAsExpression to True. In Expression, set it to "C:\\ssisdata\\ShredRecordset." + #[User::ParameterValue] + ".xlsx" (or whatever your file and path are). What this does, is configures a variable to change as the value of ParameterValue changes. This helps ensure we get a unique file name. You're welcome to change naming convention as needed. Note that you need to escape the \ any time you are in an expression.
Connection Managers
I have made the assumption you are using an OLE DB connection manager. Mine is named FOO. If you are using ADO.NET the concepts will be similar but there will be nuances pertaining to parameters and such.
You will also need a second Connection Manager to handle Excel. If SSIS is temperamental about data types, Excel is flat out psychotic-stab-you-in-the-back-with-a-fork-while-you're-sleeping about data types. We're going to wait and let the data flow actually create this Connection Manager to ensure our types are good.
Source Query to Result Set
The SQL Load Recordset is an instance of the Execute SQL Task. Here I have a simple query to mimic your source.
SELECT 'aq' AS parameterValue
UNION ALL SELECT 'dr'
UNION ALL SELECT 'tb'
What's important to note on the General tab is that I have switched my ResultSet from None to Full result set. Doing this makes the Result Set tab go from being greyed out to usable.
You can observe that I have assigned the Variable Name to the variable we created above (User::RecordSet) and I the Result Name is 0. That is important as the default value, NewResultName doesn't work.
FELC Shred Recordset
Grab a Foreach Loop Container and we will use that to "shred" the results that were generated in the preceding step.
Configure the enumerator as a Foreach ADO Enumerator Use User::RecordSet as your ADO object source variable. Select rows in the first table as your Enumeration mode
On the Variable Mappings tab, you will need to select your variable User::ParameterValue and assign it the Index of 0. This will result in the zerotth element in your recordset object being assigned to the variable ParameterValue. It is important that you have data type agreement as SSIS won't do implicit conversions here.
FST Copy Template
This a File System Task. We are going to copy our template Excel File so that we have a well named output file (has the parameter name in it). Configure it as
IsDestinationPathVariable: True
DestinationVarible: User::OutputFileName
OverwriteDestination: True
Operation: Copy File
IsSourcePathVariable: True
SourceVariable: User::TemplateFile
DFT Generate Output
This is a Data Flow Task. I'm assuming you're just dumping results straight to a file so we'll just need an OLE DB Source and an Excel Destination
OLEDB dbo_storedProcedure1
This is where your data is pulled from your source system with the parameter we shredded in the Control Flow. I am going to write my query in here and use the ? to indicate it has a parameter.
Change your Data access mode to "SQL Command" and in the SQL command text that is available, put your query
EXECUTE dbo.storedProcedure1 ?
I click the Parameters... button and fill it out as shown
Parameters: #parameterValue
Variables: User::ParameterValue
Param direction: Input
Connect an Excel Destination to the OLE DB Source. Double click and in the Excel Connection Manager section, click New... Determine if you're needing 2003 or 2007 format (.xls vs .xlsx) and whether you want your file to have header rows. For you File Path, put in the same value you used for your #User::TemplatePath variable and click OK.
We now need to populate the name of the Excel Sheet. Click that New... button and it may bark that there is not sufficient information about mapping data types. Don't worry, that's semi-standard. It will then pop up a table definition something like
CREATE TABLE `Excel Destination` (
`name` NVARCHAR(35),
`number` INT,
`type` NVARCHAR(3),
`low` INT,
`high` INT,
`status` INT
)
The "table" name is going to be the worksheet name, or precisely, the named data set in the worksheet. I made mine Sheet1 and clicked OK. Now that the sheet exists, select it in the drop down. I went with the Sheet1$ as the target sheet name. Not sure if it makes a difference.
Click the Mappings tab and things should auto-map just fine so click OK.
Finally
At this point, if we ran the package it would overwrite the template file every time. The secret is we need to tell that Excel Connection Manager we just made that it needs to not have a hard coded name.
Click once on the Excel Connection Manager in the Connection Managers tab. In the Properties window, find the Expressions section and click the ellipses ... Here we will configure the Property ExcelFilePath and the Expression we will use is
#[User::OutputFileName]
If your icons and such look different, that's to be expected. This was documented using SSIS 2012. Your work flow will be the same in 2005 and 2008/2008R2 just the skin is different.
If you run this package and it doesn't even start and there is an error about the ACE 12 or Jet 4.0 something not available, then you are on a 64bit machine and need to tell BIDS/SSDT that you want to run in 32 bit mode.
Ensure the Run64BitRuntime value is False. This project setting can be found by right clicking on the project, expand the Configuration Properties and it will be an option under Debugging.
Further reading
A different example of shredding a recordset object can be found on How to automate the execution of a stored procedure with an SSIS package?