SQL Server
Firebird

SQL Server to Firebird Converter

Move SQL Server, Azure SQL, or Amazon RDS for SQL Server data into a Firebird .fdb database or Firebird server with type-mapping review, saved sessions, and optional two-way sync.

SQL Server → Firebird migration usually means moving tables from SQL Server, Azure SQL, or Amazon RDS for SQL Server into a Firebird .fdb database, Firebird server, or InterBase-compatible target.

DBConvert handles the table-level work: it reads SQL Server metadata, creates Firebird tables, fields, indexes, primary keys, foreign keys, and supported views, maps types, and transfers rows. The review work is in generated keys, Unicode and collation policy, large text and binary columns, computed/default expressions, IDENTITY values, and T-SQL code that Firebird cannot run unchanged.

What DBConvert does on this path: turns a SQL Server source into a Firebird target through a guided desktop workflow:

  • Reads SQL Server, SQL Server Express, Azure SQL Database, and Amazon RDS for SQL Server sources.
  • Writes to a Firebird .fdb file or Firebird / InterBase server destination.
  • Maps tables, fields, indexes, primary keys, foreign keys, and supported views with per-table type review before the target is created.
  • Saves the job as a repeatable session for test loads; DBSync keeps SQL Server and Firebird aligned during a staged cutover.

What it does not do: SQL Server stored procedures, triggers, functions, jobs, security, and application SQL are not translated into Firebird PSQL. Inventory those objects separately and rewrite them against the final Firebird schema.

Which tool: DBConvert or DBSync?

DBConvert for SQL Server → Firebird

One-time migration or a repeatable saved session. Use it when Firebird is becoming the target database and you need schema creation, type mapping, row transfer, and test reruns in one desktop workflow.

DBSync for SQL Server ↔ Firebird

Staged cutover or recurring sync. Use it when the SQL Server system must keep running while Firebird is populated, validated, or read by another application. Review synchronization concepts.

Need more context? Compare DBConvert and DBSync side by side →

How DBConvert handles the SQL Server → Firebird differences

DBConvert handles source connection, schema creation, mapping, and row transfer in the wizard. Generated keys, Firebird version limits, Unicode policy, large objects, and T-SQL logic still need an explicit review before Firebird becomes the write target.

Source connection

DBConvert reads SQL Server through regular SQL Server connection settings, including Azure SQL and Amazon RDS for SQL Server when firewall rules allow the migration machine.

Firebird target shape

Choose a Firebird .fdb file, Firebird server database, or InterBase-compatible target before the first test run. Version choice affects identity columns, sequences, and boolean handling.

Generated keys

SQL Server IDENTITY columns map to Firebird identity columns or sequence-backed defaults depending on the target version and policy. Check post-load next values before inserts resume.

Unicode and collation

SQL Server nvarchar data needs a Firebird character-set decision. Test accented text, case-sensitive lookup columns, and sort behavior before the cutover window.

Large values and expressions

nvarchar(max), varbinary(max), XML, JSON-in-text, computed columns, defaults, and check constraints need target storage choices and sampled validation.

Application logic boundary

DBConvert migrates tables, fields, supported views, indexes, and keys. T-SQL procedures, triggers, jobs, security, and application SQL are not converted into Firebird PSQL.

Type mapping checkpoints

SQL Server Firebird Notes
int / bigint, identity INTEGER / BIGINT, identity or sequence policy Check next-value behavior after the load.
decimal(p,s), money DECIMAL(p,s) / NUMERIC(p,s) Preserve precision and scale for financial values.
varchar, nvarchar, nvarchar(max) VARCHAR / BLOB SUB_TYPE TEXT Confirm Firebird character set and long-text storage.
varbinary(max), image BLOB SUB_TYPE 0 Sample binary payloads after import.
datetime2, date, time TIMESTAMP, DATE, TIME Review fractional seconds and timezone assumptions from the application layer.
bit BOOLEAN or SMALLINT Firebird version and nullable-bit policy matter.
uniqueidentifier, XML, JSON text, computed columns CHAR(36), text BLOB, generated column or manual rewrite These are not native one-for-one equivalents; validate with real rows.

Choosing the SQL Server → Firebird migration route

This is a niche direction, so choose the route by repeatability, Firebird target control, and whether synchronization is needed.

Route Use it when Main limitation
DBConvert / DBSync You need a GUI workflow, saved sessions, table selection, type mapping review, direct Firebird output, or staged synchronization. T-SQL routines, jobs, security, and app SQL remain outside the migration tool.
Other desktop migration tools You want to compare a second wizard-based table-copy workflow for the same niche path. Feature coverage varies; validate Firebird version support and generated-key handling before buying.
Custom ETL or dump scripts The schema is small, the data shape is known, and engineers are comfortable writing Firebird DDL and loaders. You own every edge case: type mapping, charset conversion, load ordering, retries, and validation.
SQL conversion / rewrite project The main risk is T-SQL procedures, triggers, reporting SQL, or application queries. Schema and data movement still need a separate migration or synchronization path.

Firebird target planning checklist

Lock down these choices before the final SQL Server export.

Firebird file or server

Decide whether the target is a standalone .fdb file, a Firebird server database, or an InterBase-compatible destination.

Version and identity policy

Confirm Firebird 2.5 / 3 / 4 behavior for identity columns, sequences, generators, and trigger-backed inserts.

Text and binary samples

Validate long text, binary files, Unicode text, and case-sensitive values after the first test load.

Application SQL test cycle

Run real application queries against Firebird early. T-SQL syntax is often the real migration workload.

Supported versions

  • SQL Server 2008–2022, including Express editions
  • Azure SQL Database and Amazon RDS for SQL Server
  • SQL Server schemas (dbo, custom schemas)
  • Windows authentication or SQL authentication
  • Firebird 2.x, 3.x, 4.x and InterBase

Supported in this path

Source SQL Server
Target Firebird
Microsoft SQL Server SQL Server Express Azure SQL Database Amazon RDS for SQL Server Firebird 2.x, 3.x, 4.x InterBase
SQL Server

All SQL Server Tools

Other directions and pairs
Firebird

All Firebird Tools

Migration & sync options

Reverse Conversion

Firebird to SQL Server

Using SQL Server to Firebird Tools

When launching the DBConvert or DBSync application in GUI mode, it guides you through the steps to start database migration or synchronization:

1

Connect to SQL Server source database

Specify the username/password and host/port parameters if your source database requires login credentials.

Connect to SQL Server source database from DBConvert

SQL Server source

Connect by TCP/IP or Named Pipes, use Azure SQL, or read from Amazon RDS for SQL Server.

2

Connect to Firebird destination database

Specify parameters for the destination database similar to the source, defining connection settings and username/password pairs.

Connect to Firebird target database from DBConvert

Firebird target

Write to a Firebird .fdb file or server — Firebird target settings.

More guides for SQL Server ↔ Firebird

Next steps: configure, validate, run

After connecting source and target, the remaining steps are the same for every database pair:

  • Configure migration options - pick tables, fields, indices, views.
  • Issue detection - the built-in checker flags integrity problems before migration starts.
  • Execute - commit the job, monitor progress, save the session for reuse.
  • Schedule and CLI - rerun saved sessions on a schedule or from the command line.
Open the full guide

Steps 3-5, software features, command-line mode, scheduler, and system requirements.

See all features