Database Changes Deployment

Please forgive me if I'm in the wrong category...

How do you deploy changes to a database? Is there something you can run to compare the two versions and create a script to do this? I've heard about the DTS package (now DTSX I believe) but am not sure how to set one up. If anyone could point me to an article or something that might clear things up, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

There are a number of products and utilities that can compare two databases and produce change scripts. Visual Studio for Database Professionals can do this, as can tools like PowerDesigner, Erwin, and ER/Studio.

SSIS does not produce change scripts inherently, but you can use it to deploy them. However, I prefer doing that through SQLCMD, as it supports that scenario well.

You might have more replies if you post this question in the general SQL Server forum.

|||Thanks, very helpful. Too bad SSIS doesn't do that for you.|||

MShanahan wrote:

Thanks, very helpful. Too bad SSIS doesn't do that for you.

SSIS is a data integration tool - not a schema integration tool. The task you require is not in the scope of SSIS. If you want a Microsoft tool that can do this - Visual Studio Team System for Database Professionals is where you want to be headed for.

Jon mentioned a list of tools that can do the job (including Visual Studio Team System for Database Professionals) and to that list I would add Redgate SQL Compare which is a cheap, efficient solution.

-Jamie