With the advancement in the technological world, IT experts have introduced DBMS (Data Base Management System) and Software to keep the information/data safe, current, and updated according to the user requirement. 

By using DBMSs, required data/information can be handled and manipulated systematically through the use of user interface, functions, queries, stored procedures along with the option of customized data/information retrieval with efficiency. 

There are many DBMSs currently in use and SQL server and PostgreSQL is most commonly used nowadays.

SQL Server

Previously, the DBMS Software called SQL Server was a widely used and popular database management system. 

This database system was introduced by Microsoft, and its function is to store and retrieve the data/information that is demanded the one or several computers by any Software application or for e-commerce businesses. 

It is compatible with Windows only and is comparatively costly if you want ownership. This system is still popular and used by many brains nowadays but over time, due to advancements in technology, system productivity, and extensive features, PostgreSQL is replacing SQL servers.

PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL was initially named POSTGRES and is a free database management software that can be considered as the extension of SQL Server by Microsoft. It is more advance and also open source.  

It has more productive and fast-action features used for heavy tasks and complicated data. It is highly compatible with Windows, Solaris, Mac, Linux, and FreeBSD.

In case of shifting from SQL server to PostgreSQL, a simple procedure is required to be followed for which migration of Schema, Data, Views, functions & procedures is performed. 

The migration can be performed with the help of built-in options and export/import features of SQL server or with Database migration tools available on the internet.

Migration from SQL Server to PostgreSQL being a lengthy and cumbersome process involves many errors including a mismatch in data formats as well as data types. 

To overcome this, try to use the already available and tested database migration tools to avoid waste of time and effort. 

In this post, we will guide you through some simple steps to migrate from SQL Server to PostgreSQL. 

Steps to Migrate From SQL Server to PostgreSQL

1.  Install the correct version of PostgreSQL for windows or OS that you are currently using.

2.  Open SQL server management studio and connect to SQL database required to be migrated to PostgreSQL. SQL Server Database Schema can be exported by creating a task by right-clicking on the database.

3.  Now select the required objects of the databases (check/ uncheck the box in front of each) to migrate the database schema including the required tables. Now correctly specify parameters for connection settings and destination database that are the same as the source database. General database/table settings can also be customized according to requirements.

4.  After the migration of the database schema, the PostgreSQL database is to be set up/configured, after which the data migration can be performed.

5.  Open the interface of the migration tool and create connections to both SQL and PostgreSQL databases. Create a new Job/task and create/select the source (SQL) server and destination (PostgreSQL) databases for data migration.

6.  By the use of the wizard, follow step by step to copy/migrate the required data/tables by selecting from source and destination databases, list of tables, the definition of path, etc. The data migration process can take time depending upon the size of the data that is being transferred/migrated.

7.  Check the PostgreSQL database after successful and correct migration of the database tables.

8.  The same steps are to be followed for the migration of database views, and functions. After migration of the functions, they are to be properly tested and validated before use due to the possibility of errors involved in the migration process of functions.

9.  The most common errors involved in migration from SQL Server to PostgreSQL are syntax errors, data type errors, data type conversion errors, and path errors, etc.

10.  Required SQL server databases are successfully migrated to PostgreSQL and are ready to be used.

Conclusion

It is to be noted that conversion/migration from MS SQL Server is a difficult task and is to be carried out carefully. PostgreSQL is a very powerful, flexible, advanced, and free open source. 

Following the above-mentioned steps can help you migrate your databases from SQL Server to PostgreSQL in a simplified and easy manner. 

However, that approach does not cover such important and complicated parts of database logic as stored procedures and functions. To make this task speedy, you can download the supporting tools from here.

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