Data Flow Elements - (SSIS Data Flow)

Syntax

There is no specific syntax for data flow elements in SSIS. However, data flow elements are used within the Data Flow task in SSIS packages.

Example

Let's consider an example where we want to extract data from a SQL Server database and load it into a flat file. In this scenario, the data flow elements would include:

• Source: A SQL Server database table or view
• Transformation: Data can be transformed using various transformations such as the derived column transformation or the lookup transformation.
• Destination: A flat file, where the data will be loaded.

Output

The output of data flow elements is the processed data. In the example above, the output will be the extracted data from the SQL Server database and the transformed data loaded into the flat file.

Explanation

Data flow elements are used in SSIS to extract, transform and load data. The Data Flow task is a control flow task that is used to define a workflow that describes how data is extracted, transformed, and loaded. The data flow task consists of a set of data flow components that are connected by paths that define the order in which the data flows through the components.

There are three types of data flow components:

1. Source: The source component is used to extract data from a data source. The data can be extracted from a variety of sources including relational databases, flat files, and Excel spreadsheets.

2. Transformation: The transformation component is used to convert, clean, or modify the data. Transformations can include operations such as changing column data types, adding new columns, or performing calculations.

3. Destination: The destination component is used to load the data into a target data store. The data can be loaded into a variety of targets including relational databases, flat files, and Excel spreadsheets.

Use

Data flow elements are used in SSIS to move data between sources and destinations while taking advantage of transformations to clean, modify, or convert the data. The use of data flow elements enables ETL (Extract, Transform and Load) processes, BI (Business Intelligence), and Data Warehousing.

Important Points

• The Data Flow task in SSIS includes a set of data flow components that are connected by paths that define the order in which the data flows through the components.
• Data flow components can be used to extract data from a variety of sources, clean and modify data using various transformations, and load data into a variety of targets.
• The use of data flow elements enables ETL, BI, and Data Warehousing.
• Data flow components can be used with various third-party tools and technologies.

Summary

Data flow elements are a vital part of the SSIS Data Flow task, and they play a critical role in ETL, BI, and Data Warehousing processes. They enable the extraction, transformation, and loading of data, and can be used with various third-party tools and technologies. Understanding how to use data flow elements is essential for anyone working with SSIS and ETL processes.