SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a powerful tool for data integration operations. It provides a wide range of features and components that allow developers to extract, transform, and load data from various sources into one or more destinations. Among these features, the SSIS Script task and Script component stand out as powerful tools for implementing complex logic and utilizing libraries from the .NET framework or third parties.

SSIS Script Task

The SSIS Script Task is a versatile tool that extends the functionality of SSIS packages by using scripts. It allows developers to perform functions that are not provided by the standard SSIS tasks. The Script Task requires minimal configuration, where the user specifies the programming language to be used and the read-only and read-write variables.

Two programming languages are supported in the SSIS Script Task: Visual Basic .NET and C#. The script is developed using Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Applications (VSTA), which provides a development environment for writing the script. The script can read and write to variables, raise events for logging purposes, and use connection managers to access their configuration.

Some common use cases for the SSIS Script Task include listing files, manipulating Excel files, and checking for empty files. Microsoft provides a set of walkthroughs that demonstrate various examples of using the Script Task.

SSIS Script Component

The SSIS Script Component is used to extend the functionality of data flow tasks in SSIS. Unlike the Script Task, the Script Component requires more configuration, as it is part of the data flow task pipeline. Input and output columns metadata must be configured for the component.

The Script Component supports three main functionalities:

• Script as a source: Generates data rows from sources that are not supported in SSIS or implements complex logic while loading the data.
• Script as a transformation: Performs complex data transformations.
• Script as a destination: Inserts data into unsupported destination types in SSIS.

Working with variables within a Script Component is different from the Script Task. Variables are available as strongly-typed properties of the Variables object. Writing to variables should only be done within the PostExecute() method, as the values cannot be modified during script execution.

The Script Component can be used for multiple purposes, such as applying multiple transformations to data, accessing business rules in a .NET assembly, using custom formulas and functions, and validating column data.

Conclusion

The SSIS Script Task and Script Component are powerful tools in SQL Server Integration Services that allow developers to implement complex logic and utilize external libraries. The Script Task is used at the package control flow level, while the Script Component extends the functionality of data flow tasks. Understanding the differences and use cases of these scripting features is essential for efficient data integration operations.