Continuous Integration and automatic builds are fantastic tools for software teams, but only if developers take responsibility for their code. Karsten Kempe explains how to use Team Foundation Server to drive better continuous integration, and walks through a simple (open source) tool he built to make nightly builds more transparent, and more valuable.… Read more
To wrap up the series on Database Deployment Challenges, Alexander takes a dive into the details of how he scripted a solution and comes up with several practical tips for getting the most out of any automated database deployment framework.… Read more
Alex talks through a simple practical example of a database deployment, First creating a empty database and then upgrading it through three steps by writing T-SQL scripts, adjusting configuration files and the change log, before generating a full build script containing all schema objects.… Read more
When developing software, it makes sense to 'fail early, fail often'; to become aware of mistakes quickly and to learn from them. This means being able to deliver software as early in development as possible. This makes it easier to gather opinions and promote discussions with the people who would want to use the application; and then respond to the feedback. … Read more
As part of our long-running Cribsheet series, we asked William to write a guide to deployment that described in general terms what is involved in the deployment of a database application, and the sort of issues that one is likely to come up against. … Read more
Although, generally speaking, source control is the truth, a database doesn't quite conform to the ideal because the target schema can, for valid reasons, contain other conflicting truths that can't easily be captured in source control. Dave Ballantyne explains the problems and suggests a solution.… Read more
Phil Wilson demonstrates how to build and deploy a .NET COM assembly using best practices, and how to access it from early and late binding clients.… Read more
This article describes the basics of Visual Studio setup and deployment projects. Subsequent articles will cover more on custom actions, .NET installer classes, and an upgrade for the product.… Read more
