DTExec

DTExec is a command-line utility used to run SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages. It is included with SSIS and is commonly employed for testing, automation, and troubleshooting. DTExec can execute packages from different sources and in different execution contexts, making it a flexible tool for development and operations tasks.

DTExec supports running packages from the file system (.dtsx files), from the SQL Server MSDB package store, or from the SSIS Catalog (SSISDB). When running a package, it allows runtime configuration through environment variables, package configurations, and parameter overrides. Users can specify runtime values, override variables or parameters, and apply configurations without modifying the source package. DTExec also provides logging options, enabling output to log providers such as text files or SQL Server, and it can report execution progress and status to facilitate monitoring.

Common usage patterns include executing a package directly from a .dtsx file or invoking a package deployed to the SSIS Catalog. Command-line options enable specifying the package location, as well as additional settings such as parameter overrides, configuration files, logging, and error handling behavior. The tool returns an exit code that can be used in scripts to determine success or failure.

DTExec is typically used for ad hoc runs, automated test scenarios, batch processing during development, or as part of lightweight deployment pipelines. For production scheduling and governance, many environments prefer SQL Server Agent jobs or SSIS Catalog-based executions, which provide centralized management, auditing, and versioning.

See also: SQL Server Integration Services, SSIS Catalog (SSISDB), SQL Server Agent, dtutil.