Re: ISQL vs OSQL

From: David Gugick (davidg-nospam_at_imceda.com)
Date: 01/20/05 

Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 11:28:25 -0500

Do Park via SQLMonster.com wrote:
> Hello
>
> I use SQL Server 2000. I always use Query Analyzer to run scripts, so
> I don't know OSQL and ISQL. I have some questions.
>
> 1. What is difference between ISQL and OSQL?
> 2. Which one is better?( this question is silly.)
> 3. What are pros and cons?
> 4. Which one do most people use?
> 5. What is a reason to use either of the tools rather than Query
> Analyzer? (if you use them)
> 6. Are there any documents (or manuals) about OSQL and ISQL?
> 7. Any comments?
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Do.

ISQL uses dbLib as its mechanism for connecting to the server and acts
as a SQL Server 6.5 client when connected (legacy application). So you
may not have access to all SQL Server 2000 features. ISQL does not
support unicode.

OSQL uses ODBC as its mechanism for connecting to the server and
supports SQL Server 2000 fully and is unicode compliant.

These are both command-line utilities and are useful when you have to
execute a batch against a database or wish to quickly extract data from
a database using a query.

Use OSQL.

You can read all about them in the help file... 

-- 
David Gugick
Imceda Software
www.imceda.com

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