Zip files to archive from SQL Server Agent job - tsql

Question

I've written a program in Access vba that goes to a fixed directory, zips all files in that directory (and subdirectories), and places the zip archive in a (typically) new directory for archival storage. It's the backup routine for my Access Front End and associated files. I've been running it from my client machine every day, using my personal credentials. Now I want to run it from my small SQL Server machine since it is more robust, and accountable. I'd prefer to do it all in T-SQL rather than "calling" the Access routines.
I've done some research, but can't find anything definitive that will help me with this. Can someone point me to some help? Here is the Access VBA code:
Function Zip_All_Files_in_Folder()
Dim FileNameZip, FolderName
Dim strDate As String, TargetPath As String
Dim oApp As Object
TargetPath = "H:\xxx\secure\Construction\Access\All Database Backup\" & Format(Date, "YYYY-MMM") & "_Backup\"
If Len(Dir(TargetPath)) = 0 Then
MkDir (TargetPath)
End If
FolderName = "H:\xxx\secure\Construction\Access\CPAS\"
strDate = Format(Date, "YY-MM-DD")
FileNameZip = TargetPath & strDate & ".zip"
'Create empty Zip File
NewZip (FileNameZip)
'Copy the files to the compressed folder
Set oApp = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
oApp.Namespace(FileNameZip).CopyHere oApp.Namespace(FolderName).items
'Keep script waiting until Compressing is done
On Error Resume Next
Dim time As Integer
Do Until (oApp.Namespace(FileNameZip).items.Count = _
oApp.Namespace(FolderName).items.Count) Or time > 180
Sleep (1000)
time = time + 1
Loop
On Error GoTo 0
'Send a message about the way the script ended
If time < 180 Then
SendEmail "xxxxxx#yyyyyy.com", "Looks like the zip backup worked." & vbCrLf & TargetPath
Else
SendEmail "xxxxxxx#yyyyy.com", "Better double check the Zip backup: " & time & " seconds" & vbCrLf & TargetPath
End If
DoCmd.Quit
End Function
Sub NewZip(sPath)
'Create empty Zip File
'Changed by keepITcool Dec-12-2005
If Len(Dir(sPath)) > 0 Then Kill sPath
Open sPath For Output As #1
Print #1, Chr$(80) & Chr$(75) & Chr$(5) & Chr$(6) & String(18, 0)
Close #1
End Sub

Answer 1

File operations or other shell operations from the shell are difficult from TSQL because there is no built-in support for them and permissions are a common problem (the SQL Server service accounts may not have permission to access the filesystem).
The easiest solution is simply to write a standalone script in your preferred language; not an Access-based script, because Microsoft recommends against server automation using Office. Then schedule it as a SQL Server job or using the Windows scheduler. Unfortunately you haven't mentioned either your version or edition of SQL Server, so it isn't clear what capabilities your server has (e.g. Express Edition does not include SQL Agent, so no scheduled jobs).