Can Sql Server BULK INSERT read from a named pipe/fifo?

Question

Is it possible for BULK INSERT/bcp to read from a named pipe, fifo-style?

That is, rather than reading from a real text file, can BULK INSERT/bcp be made to read fro

Answer 1

Unfortunately, both SSIS flat file adaptors, BULK INSERT and BCP take an exclusive write lock on the file (even though it does not actually write to it). This is why this doesn't work.

I am not sure pipes can be set up to allow two exclusive locks on the same pipe without some serious hacking. You could detour it I suppose or hack into fltmgr.sys :)

As the other posters suggested, using the .NET API to do bulk or the OLEDB or ODBC interface instead is likely simpler, even though it means you have to write your own file parser.