Well-visualized schema diffs

Last modified: July 7, 2023

Schema Compare for SQL Server provides users with a clear and intuitive understanding of the variances between database schemas. By presenting the disparities in a visual format, users can easily identify additions, deletions, and modifications to database objects. This visual representation simplifies the analysis process and enables users to make informed decisions about their schema changes. Whether it’s spotting a missing column, identifying a new table, or reviewing altered stored procedures, the well-visualized differences in Schema Compare empower users to manage their SQL Server schemas with confidence and accuracy.

The Comparison results window in Schema Compare offers a powerful and comprehensive view of database schema changes. It provides an overview of all the differences between the databases while also enabling users to delve into the specific SQL differences for each individual object. This allows users to gain valuable insights into the scope and impact of the schema diffs, while also providing the ability to examine and analyze the precise SQL disparities at a granular level.

In the Comparison results window, you can:

Select objects for synchronization: Schema Compare users have the flexibility to choose specific objects for synchronization, rather than deploying all objects by default. This feature empowers users to be more selective in the synchronization process, allowing for a more targeted and precise deployment of schema changes.

Search for objects: Schema Compare offers a powerful search functionality that allows locating specific objects within a database. This feature proves invaluable when dealing with large and complex databases, as it saves time and effort by quickly identifying the desired objects for comparison and synchronization.

Save the comparison project: Schema Compare allows saving the comparison project, enabling users to preserve their comparison settings, configurations, and selected objects for future use. This feature provides convenience and efficiency, as the user can easily reuse the saved project without the need to redefine all the settings each time.

View SQL diffs: Schema Compare allows viewing SQL diffs, providing a detailed analysis of the differences between database objects. By utilizing this feature, users can easily examine the specific SQL code disrepancies that have been identified during the comparison process. The diffs are conveniently highlighted which makes the comparison results analysis quick and easy.

View the schema update script: Schema Compare provides the capability to view the schema update script, which displays the exact changes that will be applied to synchronize databases. By analyzing the schema update script, users can review the specific SQL statements that will be executed during the synchronization process. This enables them to verify the accuracy and integrity of the script, ensuring that the intended changes are correctly captured and applied to the target database.

Filter objects and save the filters: In Schema Compare, the user can filter objects based on specific criteria to customize the synchronization process. This filtering capability allows selectively including or excluding objects that meet certain conditions, providing a more focused and tailored approach.

Video tutorial

Watch the following video and see how to compare and synchronize SQL Server database schema changes.