VFP DB to SQL Server

Why Migrate VFP Databases?

FoxPro database to SQL Server migration is riddled with uncertainties associated with how well the application will survive the conversion. FoxPro is a file-server system that supports both Database Management System (DBMS) and Relational Database Management System (RDBMS), but it lacks in transactional processing. On the other hand, SQL server is a client-server database.

It is ever more compelling now to migrate to SQL server back-end. This is due to the fact that only short and carefully designed requests and results are transmitting across the network increasing application performance. Companies are realizing that the client-server databases are more secure and efficient than the file server-based system.

Popular VFP to SQL Conversion Methods

Here are the key methods for migrating data from Visual FoxPro database into SQL Server:

• Bulk Copy Program (BCP) quickly loads data into existing SQL tables. This is limited to csv files with data already formatted. This method is advantageous as it bypasses the logging of new records.
• Data Transformation Services (DTS) has various options and works with different types of data sources. It uses VB Script to transform data and scheduled to run at off-peak hours.
• VFP Upsizing Wizard automatically generates table structures, index, defaults, RI information and validation rules. The downside is, it does not up-size free tables or triggers.
• A custom converter is a final option as every project requires a unique conversion routines.

In conclusion, DTS and the Up-sizing Wizard do not transfer complex data into the SQL server. The success of a VFP database migration is reflected in the performance of the application.

There are several challenges while importing VFP data onto SQL server as discussed below:

Data Conversion Issues

• SQL/VFP has different row sizes. Therefore, this leads to data storage capacity limitations.
• VFP applications have normalization issues, which affect the performance of SQL server.
• Data Design Issues – Identification and mapping the equivalent datatype from VFP to SQL Server poses a challenge. SQL does not have the same datatypes as VFP, however it has newer and better data types which enables optimization of the data reading capability.

Table Indexing is Key to Optimized Queries With a Direct Impact on SQL Server Database Performance.

Migrating your application to a .NET framework and SQL Server provides many benefits such as security and performance. In conclusion, the future scalability of the data and application is an important consideration before initiating the conversion project.

At Macrosoft, we approach each VFP conversion differently, and often give our clients several options on VFP data migration to SQL server. Contact us today to start your VFP data migration with Mac