CHAPTER 7

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Flat File Source Patterns

A common way to transfer data between systems is to export the source data to a flat file and then import the contents of this file into the destination database. Flat files come in all shapes, sizes, and types. There are no row-length limitations. File size is limited by the maximum size allowed by the operating system. When examining flat file types, there are two initial considerations: file format and schema. Common file formats of flat file sources include these:

  • Comma-separated values (CSV)
  • Tab-delimited file (TDF)
  • Fixed-width file

In a flat file, as in a database, schema includes columns and data types. ...

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