Hi all,

We've come to a problem we think more people should have experienced in the past:

• Database version control -

We're now thinking of using SQL Delta (a SQL comparision & execution tool) to create a snapshot after every update in the database + a llblgen project + a llblgen project file and check them in using Source Control. This can work, however it seems like a lot of work.

Do any of you have suggestions for this issue?

We have 3 developers working a different modules which are integrated and used from one database. And since we all work at different times (sometimes the same) it's impossible to have 1 db admin, or is it? You can't be stopped by development if you need a field extra, etc. (Yes: With perfect design the database would be prepared for everything and we shouldn't alter it... )

Any input is more than welcome, thanks!

Gab

Hi Gab,

Db Ghost does a nice job I think (http://www.dbghost.com/) if you want to apply version control (SourceSafe integration) to your database and create change scripts for updating your clients. Take a look at it !

grtz, Danny

Hi Danny,

Long time now see Thanks for the tip!

I think our SQL Delta solution is the same. So it's probably the way to go.

Thanks.

There is also http://www.red-gate.com/ with their own set of such tools. Anyway, keeping database structure in source control has always been problematic and non trivial.

SQL Delta does Data & Structure comparison for:

Buy 1 User License - US $265 Buy 5 User License - US $695 Buy Site License - US $2,235

just fyi, NO i'm not related to the company!

I've been using SQL Delta for about a year now and have been happy with it.

Version 4.0 was a bit buggy to begin with (especially when comparing schemas between SQL 2000 and SQL 2005) but these issues seem to have been fixed now.

Jez

You might want to consider looking at this:

http://www.codeproject.com/cs/database/ScriptDB4Svn.asp

It is a pretty handle little utility that will script out all your db objects to the file system. It works really well with subversion but it could also be used with VSS. Althought about 6 months ago my company switch from using source gears Source Off Site and VSS to svn running on a linux server, best decision we every made. Once you get the hang of SVN you will wonder how you lived with out, and the best part is it's free But you still will need something like SQL delta to do change scripts.

Frank

Check out DBGhost. It is designed exclusivly for Db change management and it is well priced. We have been using it for several years and it is nice to have the db fully in source control. It will also create change scripts needed to deploy new versions, etc.

http://www.dbghost.com/

BOb

mihies wrote:

There is also http://www.red-gate.com/ with their own set of such tools. Anyway, keeping database structure in source control has always been problematic and non trivial.

I agree--tracking changes between database => application/software versions in a pain, and I have yet to see any kind of tool that really solves this problem.

I currently use redgate's SQL Compare, SQL refactor, and SQL Data Compare, and love them all.

Phil