[dba-SQLServer] Upsizing Access data into SQL2005 using SSMA

jwcolby jwcolby at colbyconsulting.com
Sun May 27 06:52:27 CDT 2007


>So far, I am thinking that I just have to create / generate new PK
sequential autonumbers and deploy these as new FK in all relevant tables -
before migrating.

Yes, however... You also have to modify the child table(s) as well.  Anytime
you mess with the PKs you have to mess with the corresponding FKs. 

>Do I need to be concerned re column names starting with a number??

This is one of those "best practices" kind of thing.  Objects should not
ever be names starting with a number or special character.  Yes, it can be
done and yes, it is a bad idea, for precisely this reason.

John W. Colby
Colby Consulting
www.ColbyConsulting.com 
-----Original Message-----
From: dba-sqlserver-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-sqlserver-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of
pcs at azizaz.com
Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2007 2:41 AM
To: dba-sqlserver at databaseadvisors.com
Subject: [dba-SQLServer] Upsizing Access data into SQL2005 using SSMA

Hi Group,
I am doing my second upgrade of an Access Db to 2005SQL.

In this second upgrade project I've used the SQL Server Migration Assistant
(SSMA) to pull the tables and data across from an Access BE rather than
using the Upsizing Wizard in Access 2003.

I am sitting with a few questions that I'd appreciate if someone in the
group would give their answer / comments to.

1.) TimeStamp column
In some recommended settings I came across for using the Upsizing Wizard in
Access2003, it was suggested to not create the TimeStamp column. In our
first project we didn't create the column, and the resulting access
application with a SQL2005 BE is functioning very well in a terminal server
environment with 60 users.

The SSMA has created a TimeStamp column in every table migrated.
My question is, what is the impact of this. 
Is the column necessary? 
There obviously is nothing in our existing code that make use of the
TimeStamp column. 
And it appears - from our experience with the first migration - that SLQ2005
does not require the DateStamp column to keep track of whether a row has
been updated or not. How is the DateStamp column utilized? Only by the
developer through code, or does SQLServer make use of it internally if the
column is available?

2. PK Autonumber - increment random
Some of the Access tables have a PK defined as a random AutoNumber. SQL does
not like the negative numbers in the PK column, and as a consequence
migrates the field as a unique PK but does not set the Identity property of
the Column.

What is the best way of handling this?

So far, I am thinking that I just have to create / generate new PK
sequential autonumbers and deploy these as new FK in all relevant tables -
before migrating.
Do you agree?

3. Column Names
Some column names starting with a number - f.ex. 96FEB is not liked by the
SSMA; it throws the following
message: "Column '96Feb' has a name that might cause problems for the Access
application to function correctly against SQL Server". 
Do I need to be concerned re column names starting with a number??

Thanks,
Regards
Borge Hansen

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