Comparison bundle is a set of tools that allow you to compare and synchronize the schema and data of on-premise SQL Server databases and on the cloud Azure Databases.
The tools included in it provide an intuitive UI, a command line for batch operations, a command line wizard for generating config files,
and an API that allows you to integrate schema comparison directly into your own applications.
The comparison bundle has been an invaluable tools to our users for some time. Below is a summary of the new and improved features included with each major release.
Some releases includes also details for the most important features. If you still have questions or need additional information, contact us via email and we will do the utmost to help you.
Schema and Data Comparison for SQL Server version 12
Version 12 of the comparison tools adds support for SQL Server 2022. Some of the new and updated features are:
New SQL Server 2022 Permissions
Version 12 supports all server-level permissions, added with SQL Server 2022, as well as the new, more granular UNMASK permission.
The UNMASK permissions is now supported on schemas, tables and table columns.
XML Compression*
The xml compression is a new data compression used for xml columns and indexes. Version 12 supports xml compression on tables, primary key and unique constraints,
relational and xml indexes.
Ordered Clustered Columnstore Indexes
Version 12 supports the new order clause added by SQL Server 2022 for clustered columnstore indexes. The same clause is supported on Azure Database as well.
* At the time of this release, SQL Server 2022 was still in public review and xml compression was not yet supported on Azure.
Since it is very likely to be added by the time SQL Server 2022 is officially released, schema compare supports this feature on Azure Databases as well.
Schema and Data Comparison for SQL Server version 11
Version 11 adds some important features to the comparison tools:
Azure Active Directory Authentication for SQL Server
Version 11 includes two new SQL Server authentication modes: Azure Active Directory Integrated Authentication and Azure Active Directory Password Authentication.
The new authentication types require Microsoft Active Directory Authentication Library for SQL Server, which you can download it from the Microsoft website.
New Schema and Data Differences Reports
The comparison tools now provide a new schema and data differences report. The report is generated as an html file, with embedded JavaScript
for navigation and filtering, useful when comparing large databases.
A simple UI allows you to filter out objects by their types or their comparison status, i.e. equal or different.
Additional options are provided for tables in order to handle their dependent objects, such as columns, indexes, constraints etc.
Graph tables and edge constraint support
Version 11 supports the new SQL Server graph structure. This includes node and the edge tables, introduced with SQL Server 2017, and edge constraints, added with SQL Server 2019.
Schema and data compare include also new options that allow you to include or exclude graph objects as you see it fit.
New schema options for CLR assemblies on SQL Server 2017
According to Microsoft, starting with SQL Server 2017, the code access security in .NET framework is no longer used as a security boundary for CLR assemblies.
For this reason, version 11 add some new options that allow you to synchronization a .NET assembly and, at the same time, comply with the new SQL Server restrictions.
You can read more about version 11
here .
Schema and Data Comparison for SQL Server version 10
Version 10 adds supports for SQL Server 2019. Some of the new and updated features are:
SQL Server 2019 support
Version 10 adds support for SQL Server 2019 and the new features on Azure Databases. The new SQL Server is integrated seamlessly
within the existing comparison API and doesn't require any manual intervention from the users.
A new, redesigned workspace
The workspace, which stores and manages schema and data comparison sessions and other settings, has been entirely resigned. It now includes a new SQLite-based database
that replaces the previous xml-based storage, as well as the necessary migration tools for a seamless transition.
Redesigned command-line utilities
The command lines have been redesigned to improve performance and simplify their parameters.
They’re faster and friendlier when it comes to error handling, notifications, logging. Sensitive information in the command line config files is encrypted.
This includes the SQL Server instance, database name and credentials. All comparison-related parameters are now specified in the config files only.
You can read more about version 10
here .
