Php Db synchronization

Question

I have a local server where I do all my testing and work. Once I am done, I simply upload the db schema along with the relevant code. However the problem arises when I make some changes to the schema. I have to manually type the "alter table" query on my live server.

Is there a way to get the incremental changes that took place in the db schema so that I can just apply the new ones? Or do I have to manually keep track?

If I use mysqldump, then it produces the schema of the final db (not with alter table etc).

Thank you very much.

Answer 1

I keep the delta sql scripts which go to the production server together with the new code. I script everything so the change of the application from version X to version Y is "automatic". Some people also have undo scripts in case something goes wrong.