Bulk Load Files into SQL Azure?

Question

I have an ASP.NET app that takes multimegabyte file uploads, writes them to disk, and later MSSQL 2008 loads them with BCP.

I would like to move the whole thing to Azure, but since there are no "files" for BCP, can anyone comment on how to get bulk data from an Azure app into SQL Azure?

I did see http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.sqlclient.sqlbulkcopy.aspx but am not sure if that applies.

Thanks.

Answer 1

BCP is one way to do it.

This post explains it in three easy steps: Bulk insert with Azure SQL

Answer 2

Loading data to SQL Azure the fast way

Answer 3

You are on the right track. The Bulk Copy API will work. I am using it. And it's the fastest way to import data because it uses INSERT BULK statements. Not to get confused with the BULK INSERT statement which is not supported in SQL Azure. In essence, BCP and the SqlBulkCopy API use the same method.

Answer 4

http://www.solidq.com/sqj/Pages/2011-May-Issue/Migrating-Data-into-Microsofts-Data-Platform-SQL-Azure.aspx for a detailed analysis of options available

Answer 5

I think it's important to note that BCP cannot handle source files that are Unicode while using a format file to do your import.