Data Transformation Services Data Transformation Services, or DTS, is a set of objects and utilities to allow the automation of extract,

transform and load operations to or from a database. The objects are DTS packages and their components, and the utilities are called DTS tools. DTS was included with earlier versions of Microsoft SQL Server, and was almost always used with SQL Server databases, although it could be used inde pendently with other databases. DTS allows data to be transformed and loaded from heterogeneous sources using OL E DB, ODBC, or text-only files, into any supported database. DTS can also allow automation of data import or transformation on a scheduled basis, and can perfor m additional functions such as FTPing files and executing external programs. In addition, DTS provides an alternative method of version control and backup for p ackages when used in conjunction with a version control system, such as Microsof t Visual SourceSafe . DTS tools DTS tools packaged with SQL Server include the DTS wizards, DTS Designer, and DT S Programming Interfaces. DTS wizards The DTS wizards can be used to perform simple or common DTS tasks. These include the Import/Export Wizard and the Copy Database Wizard. They provide the simples t method of copying data between OLE DB data sources. There is a great deal of f unctionality that is not available by merely using a wizard. However, a package created with a wizard can be saved and later altered with one of the other DTS t ools. A Create Publishing Wizard is also available to schedule packages to run at cert ain times. This only works if SQL Server Agent is running; otherwise the package will be scheduled, but will not be executed. DTS Designer The DTS Designer is a graphical tool used to build complex DTS Packages with wor kflows and event-driven logic. DTS Designer can also be used to edit and customi ze DTS Packages created with the DTS wizard. Each connection and task in DTS Designer is shown with a specific icon. These ic ons are joined with precedence constraints, which specify the order and requirem ents for tasks to be run. One task may run, for instance, only if another task s ucceeds (or fails). Other tasks may run concurrently. The DTS Designer has been criticized for having unusual quirks and limitations, such as the inability to visually copy and paste multiple tasks at one time. Man y of these shortcomings have been overcome in SQL Server Integration Services, D TS's successor. DTS Package execution utilities DTS Package execution utilities include the following: * The dtswiz command prompt utility enables you to start the DTS Import/Expo rt Wizard from a command prompt. The dtswiz command includes a set of command switches.

* The dtsrun command prompt utility enables you to execute an existing DTS P ackage from a command prompt. The dtsrun command includes a set of command switches. * The DTS Run utility provides a set of dialog boxes that are used to execut e an existing DTS Package. You can run the DTS Run utility by executing dtsrunui from a command prompt without any command switches. * The dtsrunui utility enables you to generate DTSRun commands that can be r un from the command line using a GUI. Very easy to use and faster generation of commands that require multiple parameters. DTS Query Designer A graphical tool used to build queries in DTS.