Getting started with the SQL Comparison SDK

The SQL Comparison SDK provides an Application Program Interface that enables you to use the functionality of SQL Compare 8.0, SQL Data Compare 7.1, and SQL Packager 6.0 in your own applications.

You can use the SQL Comparison SDK to synchronize multiple databases, to upgrade your customers' databases without manual intervention, and for continuous integration.

You can use the SDK if you are familiar with programming in C#, Microsoft Visual Basic®, or any other .NET language. The engines are implemented as .NET assemblies, and you can reference them from Microsoft Visual Studio® or the development environment of your choice.

The Red Gate Labs pages provide additional example projects and code samples.

Installing the SQL Comparison SDK

To install the SDK, download the SQL Toolbelt installer, and select SQL Comparison SDK. When you have installed the SQL Comparison SDK, a page called Getting Started can be accessed from the Start menu.

The Getting Started page provides links to API reference documentation, sample projects, and information on using the SQL Comparison SDK. To install or reinstall the databases used in the sample projects, on the Getting Started page, under Sample Databases click Install

When you install the SQL Comparison SDK, the APIs comprising the SDK are installed on your computer, as well as sample C# and Visual Basic projects. You do not need to install SQL Compare, SQL Data Compare, and SQL Packager separately.

Licensing the SQL Comparison SDK

To use the SQL Comparison SDK, you must have a SQL Comparison SDK license. If you do not have a license, you will be able to use the SQL Comparison SDK for 14 days, but you will not be able to redistribute your applications.

For more information, see:

Getting more information

Detailed reference information is available for each of the APIs comprising the SQL Comparison SDK:

Was this article helpful?

Search support