Similar to the weather, SQL programmers and database managers deal with version control, but most of them don't do what's necessary regarding it. SQL Server Version control means managing the versions of the objects produced and used in their SQL Server environments. Typically, this entails programmers and DBAs looking at scripts which includes object creation development scripts into Visual Source Safe (VSS), or possibly a comparable version control software program, after they create them and then checking them out and in again whenever they make changes.
Most shops use version control to keep a record of their code - but why not consider the database? Making use of Randolph, you may often know your database development is fully versioned, that you lose absolutely nothing and can often go back - with pretty much zero efforts on your part!
You will find a number of rewards which comes with establishing version control:
1. Control of the versions of objects which are used within the various environments
2. Databases object restoration
3. Change monitoring -- detection of recent or deleted objects
4. Distinction tracking -- detection of what has modified in an object
5. History and rationale of object adjustments
6. Marking of a version of database objects to build upgrade scripts
7. Simple trouble shooting method by understanding specifically what has changed; as well as the capability to roll back modifications to prior versions of the objects
An incredibly good SQL Server Version control software will allow you to accomplish those activities:
- Total save of the database's entities
- An successful GUI: Enables an useful exploring through the database’s entities - Their numerous attributes, their total background, and an effortless retrieval of each entity’s complete source code at each point in time
- Detailed reports: Know precisely what happened on your database across time
- Looking and filtering through entities
- Comparing Entities - what exactly has altered with every database entity at any time in time
- Integration with SourceSafe, Subversion and Microsoft Team Foundation Server
- Built-in scripting engine
- Not just the databases: complete monitoring of SQL Server level entities (Logins, Jobs...)