How do I open an SQL backup file?

[Dolphy Quizon]

Hello! Would you tell me how I can open a file called NAME_SQL_dump.sql? I tried to open it in Notepad and it looked like a script. Is there a way to import the file in Access? What I really need is the stored information in a table format...:)

[bakedjake]

I invoke Occam's Razor: It sounds like it is a SQL script. :)

Are you sure it's a backup file? How did you generate the backup?

[Dolphy Quizon]

I invoke Occam's Razor: It sounds like it is a SQL script. :)
Are you sure it's a backup file? How did you generate the backup?

* * *
Thank you for your response.

A (difficult) programmer does the backup for me. I was expecting a table of info which I could import and manipulate in Access? What should I ask him for? An export file in table format? If he sends me an .sql table, will I be able to open this in Access?

[bakedjake]

Well, .sql files are usually scripts to manipulate or re-create a database. They generally do not (but can) contain data.

I was expecting a table of info which I could import and manipulate in Access? What should I ask him for?

Ask him for an access (.mdb) file. If he's exporting from MSSQL Server, he can do it via the import/export function from Enterprise Manager. Failing that....

An export file in table format?

Yes, you can ask him for a dBase file. Failing that, a comma delimited format, which should be trivial to export from any SQL environment.

If he sends me an .sql table, will I be able to open this in Access?

There's no such thing as a .sql table, per se. You can have him send a .sql script that will recreate the database, but it'd be much easier (for you and him) to use one of the methods mentioned above.

[Dolphy Quizon]

Thanks BakedJake! These are valuable info!

[mack]

Was this file part of a script that requires mysql?

Sometimes you can use this file to actualy create the databases. I sometimes use these files in ascosoation with phpmyadmin to create tables etc for my databases. It will generaly open with notepad or wordpad and you can paste the contents into phpmyadmin and it will do the messy stuff for you.

Mack.