Execute Process Task
The Execute Process task runs an application or batch file as part of a SQL Server 2005 Integration Services (SSIS) package workflow. Although you can use the Execute Process task to open any standard application, such as Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word, you typically use it to run business applications or batch files that work against a data source. For example, you can use the Execute Process task to expand a compressed text file. Then the package can use the text file as a data source for the data flow in the package. As another example, you can use the Execute Process task to run a custom Visual Basic application that generates a daily sales report. Then you can attach the report to a Send Mail task and forward the report to a distribution list.
When the Execute Process task runs a command-line application, it provides input to the application through a variable that you specify in a property setting. The Execute Process task also includes properties for specifying the variables that consume the standard output and error output of the application. For more information about variables, see Integration Services Variables and Using Variables in Packages.
The Execute Process task can specify the command prompt arguments that the executable file or batch file requires. For example, if the task opens a document in Word, the command prompt argument can name the .doc file. You can use multiple command arguments in one task by using spaces to delimit arguments.
Additionally, you can configure the Execute Process task to specify a working directory, a time-out period, or a value to indicate that the executable ran successfully. The task can also be configured to fail if the return code of the executable does not match the value that indicates success, or if the executable is not found at the specified location.
Other Related Tasks
Integration Services includes other tasks that perform workflow operations such as executing packages.
For more information about these tasks, click one of the following topics:
Custom Log Entries Available on the Execute Process Task
The following table lists the custom log entries for the Execute Process task. For more information, see Implementing Logging in Packages and Custom Messages for Logging.
| Log entry | Description |
|---|---|
ExecuteProcessExecutingProcess |
Provides information about the process that the task is configured to run. Two log entries are written. One contains information about the name and location of the executable that the task runs, and the other entry records the exit from the executable. |
ExecuteProcessVariableRouting |
Provides information about which variables are routed to the input and outputs of the executable. Log entries are written for stdin (the input), stdout (the output), and stderr (the error output). |
Configuring the Execute Process Task
You can set properties through SSIS Designer or programmatically.
For more information about the properties that you can set in SSIS Designer, click one of the following topics:
For more information about how to set these properties in SSIS Designer, click the following topic:
Configuring the Execute Process Task Programmatically
For more information about programmatically setting these properties, click the following topic:
See Also
Concepts
Integration Services Tasks
Creating Package Control Flow
Help and Information
Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance
Change History
| Release | History |
|---|---|
17 July 2006 |
|