Anyone using "database projects" in Visual Studio?

Question

I've recently given it a try (SQL 2008 version) and I find them quite okay. Well, the only problem is that the wizard is not intelligent enough to update database structure without first erasing all data. Is this why these projects are not used in practice?

Actually never seen anyone using them or ever mentioning them at all. Also nothing to be seen in blogs and forums unless you explicitly look for it.

What's wrong with them?

Answer 1

I use the database project that is part of Visual Studio Database Edition. This is a great tool. Basically you define the entire schema, in create scripts which are then checked into source control. It then has tools built in to generate difference scripts, which by the way do not delete the data.

It also has data compare tools so you can compare data between database and generates the script to make the databases the same.

The recent GDR release has some interesting features added to it. Such that it sounds like if you use their built in deployment method you can generate a deployment package which when you run it will analyze the target database and apply only the differences.

If you have Team Studio - Team Suite or Development edition then you can use the Database Edition.

Give it a try and is a great evolution in database development