Option 1 –

• ODBC to gain access
  • ODBC driver from database vendor
  • Obtain access – names, passwords, etc.
  • Obtain DB schema
• SQL to Query and extract
  • MS SQL Server
  • MySQL
  • PostgresSQL

Option 2 –

• Obtain each data set from IT
• Usually plain text files
  • Free text
  • Fixed column
  • Delimited fields (.CSV, .TSV)
  • XML
• Transfer data
  • Internet, WAN, LAN
    • Can compress data
    • SCP Secure Copy
    • SFTP Secure FTP
    • E-mail attachments not desirable
  • Physical transfer
    • CD, DVD, removable hard drives
• Data typing fixed in transferred data
  • String, number, date

Database structures

• Most are not tabular
• File files
• Relational files

Data warehouses

• Can create temporary ones to house current data

- R. S. Kulzick – 4/04/2007 -