Frequently asked questions
I can’t connect to my database. What should I do?
If you can't connect to your database, you will want to verify your 'connection-string'. Starting from the 'Connection' menu item, select your Data connection and verify that the Server, Database and Provider names are correct. eltSnap primarily uses 'ODBC' connections, which can be viewed as an expression under the column heading "Connection Expression". This SSIS style expression is resolved at runtime and is echo'd back to the user via the terminal window.
Note that in the event you are using SQL Server as a DataFlow 'destination', eltSnap will try to use an 'ADO' connection which is contained under the column heading: 'connection_expression_ado'. This facilitates the 'bulk-copy' dataflow to SQL Server.
If connecting to your database server requires more specifics, you can provide a
custom connection string which overrides the 2 previously mentioned connection expressions. When using this option, we still recommend populating the stand-alone columns of server, database and provider as they could still be referenced for related eltSnap functionality. You can also visit
https://www.connectionstrings.com. for a list of many sample connection-strings.
What package pattern should I choose?
eltSnap offers many package patterns.
If you want to
send data from one place (database)
to another, use the
Data Flow package pattern.
If you want to
execute SQL statements (typically CRUD operations), use the
Execute SQL package pattern.
If you want to use the Data Flow or Execute SQL patterns, but
multiple times and on different databases, use the appropriate
For Each package pattern.
If you want to
execute a script (usually PowerShell or Python)
or call a process (as you would by using the Command Prompt), use the
Execute Process package pattern.
If you want to
exchange data between flat files (usually JSON)
and databases, use the
JSON Table Transfer package pattern.
How can I check the progress of the project that is currently being run?
When you run a project, the output information about the run will be shown in the Progress tab on the eltSnap dashboard only after the operation is finished. Example results are shown below.
If you don't want to wait that long, you can check how many packages have been run, how many are waiting and what package is currently being run by using the
Control Panel, a stand-alone application installed with eltSnap.
The Control Panel should be located at
C:\snap\eltsnap\python\Control Panel v1.0.0.7.
After you click on the
Run button and the project is being run, enter the Control Panel and click the
Refresh button. The project being run will appear in the list of running projects, where you can track all progress, pause or stop the execution as shown below.
When I run my project/package, nothing happens. How do I fix this?
If no information about the execution shows up on the screen, that means that eltSnap cannot connect to the runtime.
Step 1. Python Installation
First check whether you have a
valid Python installation. Go to the Command prompt (you can access it by using the Windows Button + R and then entering
cmd) and enter the following command:
python -V
If the output is similar to the image above, then you have Python installed. If not, head over to
https://www.python.org/downloads/ and download it, because you will not be able to run anything without having a valid Python installation.
Step 2. Check the eltSnap config file
If your Python installation is valid but you still can't run anything, you need to check your
config file.
Step 2.1 Check your working directory value
Go to
C:\snap\eltsnap\ELTSnapDatabaseDesktop_v2 and open the
ELTSnapDeveloper.exe.config file in a text editor.
Check the
WorkingDirectory value, as shown below. Does it point to the directory of your Python installation?
If you don't know where your Python is installed, go to the
Command Prompt again and enter the following command:
python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
The output of the command should be the same as the value in the config file.
Step 2.2 Check your runtime working directory value
Next, you need to check whether the RuntimeWorkingDirectory value points to the eltSnap Runtime process, as shown below.
In order to check where your runtime process is located, go to the
Command Prompt again and enter the following command:
where /r C:\snap eltsnap_runtime_v2.exe
(change the
C:\snap directory with the directory in which your eltSnap installation is located)
The output of the command should be the same as the value in the config file.
My Control Panel stops responding when I try to refresh it. What is the problem?
If your Control Panel stops responding when you try to refresh the list of currently active projects, that means you are not connected to the ELT_Framework database.
First, you need to check your connection. Head over to the
Configuration tab in the Control Panel. There you can see the currently defined data for your connection, as shown below.
If the name of the database server on which you have executed the SQL scripts when installing eltSnap (and to which you connect when you open eltSnap) is not the same as the value of the IP Address, you need to change the IP Address field to
the value of your eltSnap database server.
You can always click on the
Check connection button to see whether the Control Panel can acquire a successful connection to the database.
If you receive the
Connection can't be established message, you need to check your database server name and try again. When the message you receive is
Successful, you will be able to refresh the list of currently active projects without any issues.
