.Net Jonesie - Some SQL Tools - RedGate SQL Bundle

Friday, September 16, 2005

Some SQL Tools - RedGate SQL Bundle by Peter

Here's a small review of some tools I've been using lately for SQL Server work.

RedGate SQL Bundle Developer Addition

RedGate produce a number of must have tool for any serious SQL Server developer or DBA. These come seperately or in bundles. I purchased the Developer bundle. With this you get SQL Compare, SQL Data Compare, SQL Packager, DTS Compare and the API to use these tools programatically.

SQL Compare

For my current project I have 2 copies of the database, 1 for day to day development and the other for testers. When I release a new version for testing, the test database needs to be updated but the testers get snarky if I drop and replace it as they lose all there lovely test data. This is where SQL Compare comes in.

SQL Compare lets you select 2 databases and compare the schema and other objects. After you select the relevant databases it compares the 2 versions and displays the differences.

With this window you can see the differences for each object and even the scripts necessary to synchronise from one to the other. Object types include tables, procs, functions, users & roles. You can synchronise all selected objects directly to the database or via Query Analyser.

SQL Compare works very well in most cases but I did have one problem with a table that I added a non-null column to. The generated update script was unable to add this column to the destination table as there was already existing records. It was easy enough to fix this problem myself but I would have hoped it could ask me for a default value for the column.

Overall, SQL Compare is a tool I use several times a week. If I was a DBA or specialist SQL developer I imagine I'd be using it much more. My advice is if you do any serious SQL Server work then you MUST have this.

SQL Data Compare

SQL Data Compare performs a similar job as SQL Compare except on table data. After selecting the 2 databases, you select the tables and columns to compare. You can also select the comparison key to use.

After comparison you can view the record differences and scipts.

You can then synchronise the selected tables directoy to the database or to a script.

I use this tool to make sure our deployed database it setup correctly but it's also great for debugging data issues. If I was a DBA or had to manage a large application database then I'm sure I'd use it a lot more. Either way, this is another MUST have tool.

SQL Packager

SQL Packager is used to create an installation program for your database. It generates a .Net executable or C# project that will create a new database or upgrade an existing one. I'm more than happy with the executable it spits out as we don't need to create a shrink wrapped setup, so I haven't looked at the code it generates. The executable lets you select the database server and other creation options for the database, but the UI is a little basic and bland. However, this is much more preferable than using a script or creating your own installer from scratch.

Summary

I haven't had a chance to look at the DTS Compare or the API yet and it's not likely I ever will. Overall, I'd say that this is a great set of tools for anyone using SQL Server for application developement or support. If any part of your job entails DBA type work then you simply MUST have them.

The price of the tools seems a little expensive to me but I suspect I will be getting lots of use from it. The Developer Bundle cost us $US1238 including 12 months support and upgrades. You can purchase the normal bundle minus SQL Packager and the API or other bundles or individual tools.

For more information see http://www.red-gate.com

Friday, September 16, 2005 10:01:44 AM (New Zealand Standard Time, UTC+12:00)

Comments [2] General |

Saturday, April 29, 2006 5:14:40 PM (New Zealand Standard Time, UTC+12:00)

Hi Peter -

Red-Gate's tool is certainly a very good tool. But as a developer of a competing tool - I have an honest question - do you find that you really do use the tool for the synch script capability or is it more important to quickly and easily get a good view of the differences? Many shops maintain individual scripts in source control for each object and prefer to make their changes by hand. Our tool - SQL Effects Clarity (http://www.sqleffects.com) focuses on the best possible graphical and interactive view of the schema differences.

What are your thoughts on the subject?

Regards,

Daniel Alba

Daniel Alba

Saturday, April 29, 2006 9:47:16 PM (New Zealand Standard Time, UTC+12:00)

I use the scripts to sync copies of databases between dev and production - in particular, a remote client site.

Peter

Comments are closed.