Dynamic Properties using INI file -- Can I read the key value

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Dynamic Properties using INI file -- Can I read the key value

bellis

SSCarpal Tunnel

Points: 4667
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March 11, 2004 at 3:08 pm

#59125

I've started working with INI files and the Dynamic Properties Task and I was wondering if there is a way to get what the value of an INI key is? I've been able to find these properties pertaining to the use of an INI file with the task, but have not found any information concerning the ability to read what the value is from within code (ActiveX Script).

SourceIniFileFileName
SourceIniFileSection
SourceIniFileKey

If you go into "Add/Edit Assignment" dialog, you can see the value in the INI file in the Preview text box of the dialog. Can I get to this same value from within code???

Below is the ActiveX Script code that I currently have…

Function Main()

                Dim obj_Assignments
                Dim obj_Assignment

                Set obj_Assignments = DTSGlobalVariables.Parent.Tasks("DTSTask_DTSDynamicPropertiesTask_1").CustomTask.Assignments

                For Each obj_Assignment in obj_Assignments
                                msgbox obj_Assignment.DestinationPropertyID & vbnewline & _
                                                obj_Assignment.SourceConstantValue & vbnewline & _
                                                obj_Assignment.SourceDataFileFileName & vbnewline & _
                                                obj_Assignment.SourceEnvironmentVariable & vbnewline & _
                                                obj_Assignment.SourceGlobalVariable & vbnewline & _
                                                obj_Assignment.SourceIniFileFileName & vbnewline & _
                                                obj_Assignment.SourceIniFileKey & vbnewline & _
                                                obj_Assignment.SourceIniFileSection & vbnewline & _
                                                obj_Assignment.SourceQueryConnectionID & vbnewline & _
                                                obj_Assignment.SourceQuerySQL & vbnewline & _
                                                obj_Assignment.SourceType
                Next

                Set obj_Assignment = Nothing
                Set obj_Assignments = Nothing

                Main = DTSTaskExecResult_Success

End Function

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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Ron McCullough SSC Guru Points: 63877 More actions · Answer 1

Within Windows NT4, Windows 2000 in fact even in Windows 95 & 98 (they also exist in dot net but for the life of me can not recall their namespace) there are available system modules which will read/write an INI file:

In VB code would:

Declare Function WritePrivateProfileString Lib "Kernel32" Alias "WritePrivateProfileStringA" (ByVal AppName$, ByVal KeyName$, ByVal keydefault$, ByVal FileName$) As Long

Declare Function GetPrivateProfileString Lib "Kernel32" Alias "GetPrivateProfileStringA" (ByVal AppName$, ByVal KeyName$, ByVal keydefault$, ByVal ReturnString$, ByVal NumBytes As Long, ByVal FileName$) As Long

In Use:

Public Function ReadString(ptSectionName As String, ptKeyName _ As String, INI_FileName As String, txtDefault As String) As String

Dim lCharacters as Long

Dim tBuffer(256)

tBuffer = String$(256, 0)

lCharacters = GetPrivateProfileString(ptSectionName, ptKeyName, "", tBuffer, 255, INI_FileName)

If lCharacters > 0 Then

tIniString = Left$(tBuffer, lCharacters)

Else

'tIniString = ""

tIniString = txtDefault '10/17/02 RMJc

End If

ReadString = tIniString

End Function

Hope this Helps

If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

Ron

Please help us, help you -before posting a question please read[/url]
Before posting a performance problem please read[/url]

bellis SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4667 More actions · Answer 2

So, are you saying that there is NOT a method to get at this value from within the DTS object model? And the only way that I can read the value is from a Windows API call?

Regardless of the answer to the above question, thanks for the code

mssql_rules SSCrazy Points: 2783 More actions · Answer 3

You can declare a global variable, assign values from the ini file to the global variable and then read the global variable from the ActiveX script. Would that be acceptable?

bellis SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4667 More actions · Answer 4

How are you going about reading the ini file value? Are you using the API call or do you know of a way to get to the value through the dynamic properties task object (in code)?

SmithDM SSC Eights! Points: 859 More actions · Answer 5

I use INI file as my main communication method back to calling Package when I have nested packages. DTS is good in forward communication but really bad in reporting results.

I had to build a VB DTSSupport DDL containing FSO APIs etc inorder to easily provide this support. The called packages writes values to INI file then the calling package reads the values into DTS Global Variables. INI values are also read in at start to load any values from previous runs (allows restart capability) and changes to package or file names. The Dynamic tasks then use the Global Variable values to apply changes as needed.

I never could get Dynamic tasks to handle INI files directly. If you want it I am willing to provide the source code for DTSSupport.

SmithDM

poddoubsky SSC Veteran Points: 244 More actions · Answer 6

Hi,

I use Dynamic Property task in every DTS package and find it very easy when you have .ini file:

Sample:

1. Create .ini file

[main]

gsMailTo=jpoddoubsky@dentalxchange.com

gsLoadTo=servername.databasename

[input_files]

gsIncomingFile=D:\reports\abc.xls

gsOutgoingFolder=D:\reports_done

2. Create global variables

gsMailTo, gsLoadTo, gsIncomingFile, gsOutgoingFolder, etc...

3. Open DynamicProperty task properties, click Add, expand GlobalVariables, click on the variable you need to map to .ini file, click Set, source = INI, file = your .ini file, section = main or input_files in our case, key = your gloval variable name, you'll see the value populated from .ini file in Preview pane (sometimes it requires clicking on Refresh).

Keep doing that for every variable you'd like to be set at runtime from .ini file, to keep the window open until you are done - check "Leave this dialog box open..." checkbox in left lower corner.

That's it!

Julia

SmithDM SSC Eights! Points: 859 More actions · Answer 7

Julia

Ok, That might work in some cases. I would have to test the retrieve portion also to be sure.

However I am getting a little more complex in my routine and find it easier to pass GVar object to VB and just tell routine to write required INI section. On retrieval I just loop through proper Gvar section and retrieve same named INI value. This method allows addition of GVars without modification of associated write/retrieve code.

SmithDM

philcart SSC-Forever Points: 47796 More actions · Answer 8

For info on how to pass info back to the calling package, take a look at this article on techniques used in SQL Server BI Accelerator. Pay special attention to the section titled "Information Flow Between Child Packages and Parent Packages"

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnsql2k/html/sql_dts_ssabi.asp

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Colt 45 - the original point and click interface

SmithDM SSC Eights! Points: 859 More actions · Answer 9

Thanks Phill

I will take a look at the metods used for future reference. You can never learn to much. The more you know the more you realize you do not know.

I created my methodogy back in 2000 and it has served me well for major conversions and Data Warehouse processing. (*.INI for comm back from child to parent DTS, RunControl table for SQL Stored Procedure to Comm back to calling DTS Package, SQL proc invoked via OSQL to allow for SQL Log file and return control etc).

By next year with Yukon (SQL 2005) this question will most likely be moot. I understand there are major changes to address DTS's current shortcomings.

Thanks again, Doug

SmithDM