How Can I Efficiently Perform Bulk Inserts into SQL Server from a List of Objects using SqlBulkCopy?

Making Bulk Insertions with SqlBulkCopy from a List of Objects

SqlBulkCopy is a powerful tool for efficient data insertion into SQL Server. When handling a large number of objects, leveraging this functionality can significantly enhance performance. One potential challenge arises when the data is stored in a List<> of simple objects, prompting the question of how to perform bulk insertion using SqlBulkCopy.

Custom IDataReader Implementation

One option is to implement a custom IDataReader that exposes the data in the List<> in a format compatible with SqlBulkCopy. However, this approach can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Alternative Approach with FastMember

An alternative solution with improved efficiency and ease of use is FastMember. This library enables direct conversion of a List<> into a format consumable by SqlBulkCopy:

using(var bcp = new SqlBulkCopy(connection))
using(var reader = ObjectReader.Create(data, "Id", "Name", "Description"))
{
    bcp.DestinationTableName = "SomeTable";
    bcp.WriteToServer(reader);
}

In this code snippet, the ObjectReader component from FastMember converts the List<> of objects into a stream of data compliant with SqlBulkCopy. By specifying the desired column mappings (e.g., "Id", "Name", "Description"), the data transfer process can be customized as needed.

Benefits of Using ObjectReader

The advantages of using ObjectReader include:

• Elimination of the need for manual IDataReader implementation
• Increased performance compared to DataTable-based approaches
• Flexibility to work with both generic and non-generic sources
• Optional specification of column mappings for more granular control

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