Data Transformation Services (DTS) is a powerful tool that allows you to extract, transform, and load (ETL) data from a variety of sources. It is a highly customizable tool, and there are many different ways to use it to achieve your specific data integration needs.

One of the most common questions that people have about DTS is where to add CTW (Change Tracking Writers). CTWs are responsible for tracking changes to data in a source system and propagating those changes to a destination system. There are two main places where you can add CTWs in DTS:

• In the source system: This is the most common place to add CTWs. When you add a CTW to a source system, it will track changes to the data in that system and write those changes to a change tracking table. You can then use DTS to extract the changes from the change tracking table and load them into a destination system.
• In the destination system: You can also add CTWs to destination systems. When you add a CTW to a destination system, it will track changes to the data in that system and write those changes to a change tracking table. You can then use DTS to extract the changes from the change tracking table and load them into another destination system.

The decision of where to add CTWs depends on a number of factors, including:

• The volume of data that is changing: If you are only changing a small amount of data, then you may be able to get away with adding CTWs to the destination system. However, if you are changing a large amount of data, then you will need to add CTWs to the source system.
• The frequency of the changes: If the data is changing frequently, then you will need to add CTWs to the source system. This will ensure that the changes are captured and propagated to the destination system as quickly as possible.
• The impact of the changes: If the changes to the data are critical, then you will need to add CTWs to both the source system and the destination system. This will ensure that the changes are captured and propagated to the destination system as quickly as possible and that the data in the destination system is always up-to-date.

Benefits of using CTWs

There are a number of benefits to using CTWs, including:

• Improved data accuracy: CTWs can help to improve data accuracy by ensuring that the data in the destination system is always up-to-date.
• Reduced data latency: CTWs can help to reduce data latency by propagating changes to the destination system as quickly as possible.
• Simplified data integration: CTWs can help to simplify data integration by automating the process of capturing and propagating changes to data.

Conclusion

CTWs are a powerful tool that can be used to improve data integration. By understanding where to add CTWs in DTS, you can ensure that the data in your destination system is always up-to-date and accurate.

FAQs

1. What is a CTW?
   A CTW is a Change Tracking Writer. It is responsible for tracking changes to data in a source system and propagating those changes to a destination system.

2. Where can I add CTWs in DTS?
   You can add CTWs to either the source system or the destination system.

3. When should I add CTWs to the source system?
   You should add CTWs to the source system when you are changing a large amount of data, when the data is changing frequently, or when the impact of the changes is critical.

4. When should I add CTWs to the destination system?
   You should add CTWs to the destination system when you are only changing a small amount of data, when the data is not changing frequently, or when the impact of the changes is not critical.

5. What are the benefits of using CTWs?
   The benefits of using CTWs include improved data accuracy, reduced data latency, and simplified data integration.