Solving the Null Separated Characters Dilemma in SQL Server Management Studio CSV Exports скачать в хорошем качестве

Solving the Null Separated Characters Dilemma in SQL Server Management Studio CSV Exports

Discover why SQL Management Studio outputs null-separated characters when saving as CSV and learn how to configure it to avoid this problem. --- This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/208027/ asked by the user 'Vinko Vrsalovic' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/5190/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/208029/ provided by the user 'David Wengier' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/489/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions. Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Why does SQL Management Studio output null separated characters when saving as csv? Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/l... The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 2.5' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 2.5' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license. If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com. --- Understanding the Problem: Null Separated Characters in CSV Files Many users of SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) encounter an issue when exporting query results to CSV files. After saving the data, the resultant file contains null-separated characters, complicating further processing, particularly on Unix machines. This inconvenience not only disrupts data handling but also necessitates additional steps to filter out these null characters, which can be frustrating. So, why does this occur and how can it be addressed? Let's delve into the reasons behind it and explore possible solutions. Why is This Happening? The root of the problem lies in the character encoding format used by SQL Server Management Studio when exporting files. By default, SSMS outputs files in UTF-16 format, which uses twice as many bits to represent each character. This encoding results in each character being followed by a null character (00), creating unexpected null separations in the CSV file. Key Points: File Encoding: The default saving format is UTF-16. Null Characters: Each character appears with a preceding null (00) byte. Impact: Increases complexity while processing the CSV on systems expecting standard ASCII or UTF-8 encoded files. How Can This Be Configured? Fortunately, there are ways to remedy this situation. Here’s how you can avoid null-separated characters in your CSV files: Option 1: Convert Encoding Post Export The simplest workaround involves converting the file's encoding after it has been exported using command-line tools. Use iconv Command: In your terminal, run the following command: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] This command converts the original UTF-16 encoded file into a UTF-8 encoded file, eliminating null characters. Option 2: Change Export Options While SSMS directly does not provide an option to save files using ANSI or ASCII encoding, some alternatives involve: Use Different Tools: Utilize tools like SQLCMD or PowerShell scripts to export query results in a different format. Change Output Format: If possible, review the settings/preferences in the SSMS tool to check if there exists an option to save the files as ANSI or ASCII. ANSI or ASCII uses 8-bit characters, thereby resolving the null-separation issue. Conclusion: Simplifying Your Data Processing Exporting SQL query results should be a seamless process. The presence of null-separated characters can lead to unnecessary work and confusion when processing data in various environments. By understanding that SSMS defaults to UTF-16 encoding, and employing workarounds like converting file encoding or exploring alternative export tools and formats, users can significantly simplify their workflow. By adopting these strategies, you can focus on what truly matters – analyzing and using your data effectively without the headache of formatting issues. If you have experienced similar issues or have other tips to share, feel free to leave a comment below!