The best choice between the two options is Option 2 (Staging Table + SQL Stored Procedures) in terms of development speed and future maintenance. Here’s why:
Why Option 2 is Better?
Faster Development:
You can load the entire CSV into a staging table quickly without complex ETL logic.
SQL stored procedures efficiently handle inserts/updates using MERGE or UPSERT.
Easier Maintenance & Debugging:
All transformations and foreign key assignments happen in SQL, making debugging easier.
Errors can be logged directly within SQL procedures for troubleshooting.
Better Performance & Scalability:
SQL Server efficiently handles bulk inserts using BULK INSERT or OPENROWSET.
Processing happens inside the database, reducing data transfer overhead.
Reusability & Flexibility:
If the CSV structure changes, you only need to update the stored procedures, not an entire ETL pipeline.
You can schedule SQL jobs to automate the process.
When to Use Option 1 (ADF/SSIS)?
Use ADF/SSIS only if:
You need complex data transformations before loading.
Your CSV file structure frequently changes, requiring dynamic handling.
You require cloud-based integration or real-time data processing.
Final Recommendation:
Since your CSV is structured and involves multiple database tables, Option 2 (Staging Table + SQL Stored Procedures) is the best choice for efficiency and maintainability.
If your system evolves and requires cloud-based ETL, you can integrate ADF later.