How to compare these two databases and find what is the difference between these two databases?

Question

How to compare these two databases and find what is the difference between these two databases?

I have two development databases(dev_version1 and dev_version2) for the same project but for different versions. These database are almost same. Because each time after any changes made in the dev_version1 database, I tested it. If confirmed that every thing is OK, then I publish the changes to the dev_version2 database.  But I still doubt there exist some difference between these two databases.

If there are  some defference, how to synchronize them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answer 1

Red Gate SQL Compare.  Will show you everything that is different and allow you to synchronize.  You can download a 14 day trial that works great.

Answer 2

Hi,

Red Gate SQL compare is a choice for sure, but comes with some cost.

But, if you have VS 2010 Premimum Edition or VSTS 2008 Database edition, you can try tools like SCHEMA COMPARE. Kindly have a look at this link for some more info on this.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd193250.aspx

There are some more free options also. Like one is http://dbdiff.codeplex.com/.

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- Chintak (My Blog)

Answer 3

In addition Apexsqldiff can be used

http://www.apexsql.com/sql_tools_diff.aspx

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-- Yaniv www.sqlserverutilities.com http://blogs.microsoft.co.il/blogs/yaniv_etrogi

Answer 4

How to compare these two databases and find what is the difference between these two databases?

I have two development databases(dev_version1 and dev_version2) for the same project but for different versions. These database are almost same. Because each time after any changes made in the dev_version1 database, I tested it. If confirmed that every thing is OK, then I publish the changes to the dev_version2 database.  But I still doubt there exist some difference between these two databases.

If there are  some defference, how to synchronize them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are talking about Data in tables , you can use tablediff utility shiped with SQL Server 2005 and onwards . If you want to synchronize them you can either use snapshot replication ( but it refreshes the complete data) or transactional replication and run the distribution agent on demand or schedule it .. or go for log shipping if its viable.

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Abhay Chaudhary OCP 9i, MCTS/MCITP (SQL Server 2005, 2008, 2005 BI) ms-abhay.blogspot.com/

Answer 5

3rd vote for Red Gate tools, we have used them in our shop for about 4 years now and still love them!

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Ross - Real World DBA Blog