HaveStyle.ca

I've been asked by a client how difficult it would be to "change?" an old Microsoft SQL database to work on my mySQL enabled servers...

Not being to conversant in these things... I thought I'd ask those who might know...

Kind Regards,
James

sam

what kinda database?

access or SQL server?

which version?

pvera

MS SQL Server has been putting bread on my table for many yearsn

If the database was designed using common ANSI SQL compliant structures, then you will need to do very minor changes. If it uses things that are limited to SQL Server, like T-SQL stored procedures, then you are in trouble: you will need external code to replicate some of this functionality.

If you are just moving data, then it is not so bad, you may even manage to move the data from SQL Server to csv and then re-import it into MySQL.

__________________
Pedro
Blog: http://veraperez.com
Reseller: http://veraperez.net
GPG/PGP Key: http://veraperez.com/public.asc

patrickb

My sincere condolences.

I think pvera knows what he is talking about on this one, cause I sure don't. One of my clients that I develop for needed an Access database converted to mySQL for the project and I can tell you, that alone was enough hassle at the time due to the design of the Access DB.

I think ultimately, its going to depend on how the MSSQL DB is designed. If it is something with the MSSQL specific functions, then you are going to definitely be in for a big headache. You also will have to learn some MSSQL just to figure out what needs to be done.

My honest opinion (I learned this from my own mistakes), get the client to give you access to the current MSSQL DB and time to review how it works. You don't want to tell them it is easy and find out that you can't do it, and on the flip side, you don't want to tell them it is impossible when it can be done. If you aren't comfortable in mysql already, then don't even try it. You should definitely consider outsourcing this to someone, which will be a headache as well, but may not be as big of a headache.

__________________
Patrick

Warnings: The program(s) might crash unexpectedly or behave otherwise strangely. (But of course, so do many commercial programs on Windows.) --www.gimp.org

pvera

I have had to strugle with removing the word "easy" from any conversations involving a customer or my boss. If I keep telling the customer everything is easy, they will balk at the huge bills we send them, plus the boss eventually assumes everything is easy and gives me a lot more work to do in the same amount of time.

BTW, you are not the only one stuck trying to do this, so I recommend you google to see if some enterprising fellow out there wrote an export wizard to move from SQL Server to MySQL. Also remember that if you have ODBC drivers for MySQL in the Windows server, you can probably use the SQL Server data transformation services (DTS) to do the export.

__________________
Pedro
Blog: http://veraperez.com
Reseller: http://veraperez.net
GPG/PGP Key: http://veraperez.com/public.asc

sam

ODBC. Theres one acronym I wish I never heard.

emayberr

[delete] Sorry

__________________
Server: Romeo
LogicalTheory.com
Help me get my free Ipod!!! Please!?

HaveStyle.ca

Ok. I found out that the DB is a Microsfot SQL Server 7 database that was run or could run under a SQL Server 2000? Does that make sense? The client is sending me a copy of the DB on CD... Does this help???

Thanks!
James

sam

somewhat.

at least sql server 7 works. unlike 6.5 which they said worked.

SQL server is a full zorch relational database that does scale.

best place to start is to analysis on the tables using query analyzer.