Export Sybase data or view in Access

[simplyJ]

Is it possible to export the data in a Sybase database without having Sybase on my PC? I would like to export all of the data to MS Access.

Any ideas?

 

[sybaseguru]

I assume that by export sybase database you mean sybase tables. Yes you can do this by using MS access and setting up ODBC to look at your Sybase database. In order to set up Sybase ODBC drivers you need to install Sybase PC client on your PC. That will create sql.ini file where you can add the sybase database specifics (you need to ask your DBA to supply you with Sybase Open Client kit so you can install it on your PC and also ask the machine name or IP address plus the PORT ID that Sybase server is running on). Once you have installed the PC client, you can go to your PC and use "DSEDIT" utility to add the Sybase server to your sql.ini file. Once you have set this up you then use "ODBC data source administrator" (from Sybase menu or from control panel)to create a data source for the Sybase database you want to import and then you can use MS Access with file->get external data->import to import sybase tables. Make sure that in import screen use file of type "ODBC databases". Then you can import Sybase tables and data into MS access. Anyway try getting the Sybase Pc client installed first and see how you progress.

However, if you do not want PC client to be installed on your PC then you can export data from Sybase tables using "BCP" facility of Sybase to write the individual table data to ascci files. for example

In UNIX platforms:
bcp pubs2..publishers out pub_out -c -t , -r \\r -U<USERNAME> -S<SERVER_NAME>

Copies data out of the publishers table in character format (using char for all fields) using the -c parameter. The -t field_terminator parameter ends each field with a comma, and the -r row_terminator parameter ends each line with a Return. bcp prompts only for a password:

Have a look at Sybase's &quot;Utility Guide&quot; for more info on &quot;BCP&quot;. Then you can use MS access to create tables and read data in from the flat files. However, having Sybase PC client installed will make life easier.

Good luck

 

[simplyJ]

Thank you for the info. Is it possible to do this if the database is not being run on a server? I have a copy of the database file on a CD and I just want to be able to view the data. Any ideas?

 

[JeanNiBee]

You can't interact directly with the Sybase files. These the 'raw' files can 't just be moved (or used) from machine to machine. You have to use DUMPS (backups) to move your data around.

If all you have are the original data files you might be out of luck. At least as far as &quot;I&quot; know you are out of luck.

Also, even if you use Sybase dumps you still a Sybase DB running to get your data out.



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SELECT 1 from sysobjects

 

[sybaseguru]

Sorry simplyJ you are asking for miracle. When you say you have a copy of database file you are referring to a binary dump of a database called something like <DATABASE_NAME>.dmp etc. This has all the info including the database objects, data, transaction log and data dictionary all in one binary file. There is no way you can get any meaningful info out except by having an ASE running, creating the database and what I said in my first reply. Ask whoever sent the dump file to send you data in bcp format, so you can import it to mS access. Tell him/her you are only interested in data not database.

Anyway good luck

 

[simplyJ]

The files that I have are name.db. Are these dump files?

 

[sybaseguru]

They are normally caleed *.dmp but talk to whoever sent them to you and get a confirmation. The dump files are binary files as opposed to bcp files which are text files