Handling System-named Constraints in SQL Compare

If some of your database constraints have system-generated names, they can cause 'false positives' when comparing schemas and generating build scripts using SQL Compare or SQL Change Automation. Phil Factor explains the difficulties, and the Compare option you need to enable to avoid them. Read more

Database Source Control in Azure Data Studio

How developers who were previously writing and managing database source code in SSMS can make a smooth transition to Azure Data Studio. Read more

SQL Server Licensing and Redgate Monitor

How well do the SQL Server licenses you own match up with what you need for your current use? William Durkin explains how to use Redgate Monitor to find out. Read more

When SQL Server Performance goes Bad: the Fill Factor and Excessive Fragmentation

Phil Factor on the fill factor, pages splits and index fragmentation, and how Redgate Monitor can help you decide if a custom fill factor for certain indexes might help alleviate performance issues. Read more

Testing SQL Server Stored Procedures and Functions with SQL Data Compare

Phil Factor demonstrates a cunning way to test stored procedures or functions, such as after refactoring, by storing the 'before' and 'after' results in views and then using SQL Data Compare to spot any discrepancies. Read more

How to cope with Database Drift during Deployment using SQL Compare

Phil Factor on how to cope with any database drift that results from various checks and tests and fixes made during deployment. Read more

The Database Development Stage

Phil Factor distills the basic tasks of the database development stage and explains how SQL Compare can help tackle them. Read more

Getting Started with Automatic Database Branch Switching

Alexander Diab demonstrates how a team of developers can work on and test features in different branches of a SQL Server database development project, while their local development database automatically remains 'synchronized' with the current branch in version control. Read more

Getting Started with Data Masker for SQL Server: I Want to Mask A Database

Grant Fritchey explains what's involved in masking a SQL Server database. It can seem a daunting task, but it all becomes a lot more logical if you start from a plan, based on agreed data classifications, and then use a tool like Data Masker to implement the masking, and track progress. Read more

Allowing for manual checks and changes during database deployments

SQL Change Automation enables users to make database changes to production safely and efficiently using PowerShell cmdlets, which can be integrated easily into any release management tool. This article will show you how to automate database deployments safely, by using SQL Change Automation from within PowerShell scripts, and how a deployment script for a release can be checked and amended as part of the process. Read more