file import to SQL Server 2000

Hi all,

I have a file with an extension of .sdf. I "believe" it is a text file
of some sort but I am uncertain. The source agency hasn't returned any
of my calls so I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with this extension?
I'd like to import the file into my database - when I use DTS and chose
a text format, regardless of what delimiter I choose, the format is
still really ugly. when I pull it up in a huge text editor, it is hard
for me to tell what it is there.

I saw in one of my searches that it could be a comma delimited (it's
not) .. could be a unisys file? I know it's not much information to go
on - but where should I start in trying to get this into my database
without knowing the format? Any suggestions would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks!
Bethany

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SDF = Windows SQL CE-version internal databases
SDF = MDL Isis SDF chemical modeller input file
SDF = Mime: application/e-score
SDF = Mime: chemical/x-mdl-sdf
SDF = Source Definition File (Sourcer)
SDF = System Data Format file (fixed lenght ascii text)

> know it's not much information to go on -
> but where should I start in trying to get this into my database
> without knowing the format?

All you can do is make assumptions and try to identify the file format via
trial-and-error. You might get help with identifying/eliminating SQL CE
from the microsoft.public.sqlserver.ce.

Once you've positively identified the file format, you can take steps to
either import directly or at least transform data into an intermediate
format suitable for import.

--
Hope this helps.

Dan Guzman
SQL Server MVP

"Bethany Holliday" <bhollida@.iupui.edu> wrote in message
news:418a7210$0$14507$c397aba@.news.newsgroups.ws.. .
> Hi all,
> I have a file with an extension of .sdf. I "believe" it is a text file
> of some sort but I am uncertain. The source agency hasn't returned any
> of my calls so I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with this extension?
> I'd like to import the file into my database - when I use DTS and chose
> a text format, regardless of what delimiter I choose, the format is
> still really ugly. when I pull it up in a huge text editor, it is hard
> for me to tell what it is there.
> I saw in one of my searches that it could be a comma delimited (it's
> not) .. could be a unisys file? I know it's not much information to go
> on - but where should I start in trying to get this into my database
> without knowing the format? Any suggestions would be greatly
> appreciated.
> Thanks!
> Bethany
>
> *** Sent via Developersdex http://www.developersdex.com ***
> Don't just participate in USENET...get rewarded for it!