The problem is that the bcp utility gives a user such a vast range of options to enhance output that choosing the proper combination is done only after lengthy trial and error.
A standard group used in many solution answers to related questions on the internet about use is "-w -T -S", for instance. This means "wide character", "Trusted", and "Servername". And that's pretty intuitive because it's basic knowledge of the data before it goes into the blackbox.
But I expect more from the bcp itself. The formatting is lacking. Meaning, short-story, if I open my output xml with notepad there's no whitespace, no blank, no linefeed, no carriage return; you get the idea.
Sure, I can convert this bad xml using a third party app by simply clicking on a command such as "apply XML formatting". Open it in notepad ... everything's fine.
But why, and better yet WHAT are the switches I should deploy to preserve LF/CR and subsequently get the PRETTY xml spaghetti I'm hungry for, does bcp short it's users in this respect?
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