Among all modern relational database management systems SQL Server and PostgreSQL are widely popular due to their user-friendly interfaces, robust engines and a comprehensive set of management tools. However, when comparing these systems, it becomes evident that SQL Server often has stricter license policy and its TCO is much higher compared to PostgreSQL. As a result, many migrate SQL Server to PostgreSQL to benefit from its more flexible licensing and lower costs.
Database migration between those two RDBMSs usually consists of the following steps:
- Export SQL Server table definitions into CREATE TABLE statements
- Convert those statements according to the Postgres format (remove SQL Server keywords, enclose object names into double quotes instead of square brackets, etc)
- Load the modified statements to the Postgres database
- Extract the source data into comma separated values (csv) files
- Transform the extracted data into the target format and load it to the Postgres database (using the COPY command, for example)
- Export source code of triggers, views and other items of the database logic from SQL Server database in form of CREATE statements
- Transform all the objects according to Postgres syntax and import it into the target database
This list proves that manually migrating a database from SQL Server to PostgreSQL involves significant efforts. The process is time-consuming and carries risks of data loss or corruption due to human error. Therefore, database professionals recommend using the dedicated software to mitigate those risks and streamline the migration procedure.
Since 2001, Intelligent Converters has been working in database migration field, and one of their products is a tool to migrate SQL Server to PostgreSQL. This tool combines a user-friendly interface with high-performance data handling, making it well-suited for migrating large databases. It works with all modern versions of MS SQL and PostgreSQL and supports command line for automating and scripting the database migration. Additional features include:
- Select and filter data to migrate via SELECT-queries. This option allows to migrate result of SELECT-queries as if it is a regular table. The feature can be used to select individual columns and rows, merge multiple tables into a single one and transform the data.
- PostgreSQL tables can be merged or synchronized with SQL Server data. For this purpose, source and target tables must have identical structure and primary key or unique index.
- Migration can be customized for every table via Edit Table dialog. This feature allows to change name, type, default value and NULL-attribute for any column of table, or exclude particular columns from migration.
- To simplify recurrent running, the program can store conversion setting into profile. Once the profile is created, the program can be run in batch mode via double-clicking on the profile shortcut.
- In the situations when PostgreSQL server does not allow remote connections, SQL Server to PostgreSQL converter can export the source data into a script file containing statements to create tables, indexes and constraints and load the data.
Besides high-quality software, Intelligent Converters offers unlimited technical support and a 1-year subscription for updates. A free demo version, which converts up to 50 records per table, is available to help evaluate the product’s capabilities and determine if it meets the company’s specific needs. Various licensing options are provided to cater to a wide range of customers, from individuals and small businesses to large multinational corporations.
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