Using SQL Data Compare to Sync Reference Data

Let's say your QA team maintain two similar test databases. They run tests to verify that different versions of the same application still produce the same, correct results. Therefore, any differences in the test data, between the two databases, needs to be corrected before the tests start. This is the sort of task for which SQL Data Compare is ideally suited, and Bob Sheldon explains how it all works. Read more

SQL Prompt Snippets to Drop Columns and Tables and Handle Associated Dependencies

Louis Davidson provides a pair of SQL Prompt snippets that will help you deal with dependencies, whenever you need to drop columns or tables. Read more

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 SQL 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 SQL 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 SQL 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

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