SQL Insert data from one table to another

I was trying to export data from one database table to another using cursor, but there are better ways to do this and to improve performance

Inserting data from one table to another  in SQL can be done in two ways:
1. Insert into XXXX select XXXX
2. Select XXXX into XXXX



1. Insert into XXXX select XXXX -
This method is useful when we two different databases exist and we have to export data form one to another.


USE [MCMER_DB_A]
GO
/**Object Table [dbo].[GS]**/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON

INSERT INTO [MCMER_DB_A].[Dime] (Col1, Col2, Col3, Col4, Col5)
SELECT Col1, Col2, Col3, Col4, Col5
FROM [MCMER_DB_B].[Dime]
GO

/**Do not include columns set to auto-increment**/

2. Select XXXX into XXXX
This method is used when the table in which data is to be copied doesn't exist.
When data is copied a new table is created with same datatypes as of existing one.


USE [MCMER_DB_A]
GO
/**Object Table [dbo].[HR]**/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON

/**Create and update**/
SELECT Col1, Col2, Col3, Col4, Col5
INTO [MCMER_DB_A].[HR]
FROM [MCMER_DB_B].[HR]
WHERE HRid = 1
/**Verify new table created**/
SELECT Col1, Col2, Col3, Col4, Col5
FROM [MCMER_DB_A].[HR]

GO