When managing database deployments across different environments, ensuring consistency is paramount. Imagine encountering a scenario where database synonyms, seemingly identical, behave differently between development and production. This was precisely the situation faced by a customer during a recent Proof of Concept, highlighting a nuanced aspect of database comparison using tools like Redgate SQL Compare. Initially, it was surprising to discover that synonym discrepancies were overlooked. However, the solution is straightforward, residing within the configuration settings of SQL Compare.
This article will explore how to accurately detect and address synonym variations when using SQL Compare, ensuring smooth and reliable database deployments. We will delve into the default behavior of the tool and guide you through the necessary adjustments to capture even subtle differences in synonym definitions.
This article builds upon a series focusing on SQL Compare from Redgate Software. If you’re seeking a robust solution for database comparison and deployment, exploring SQL Compare is highly recommended. Consider trying out a trial version to experience its capabilities firsthand.
Scenario: Unveiling Hidden Synonym Variations
Consider a typical development lifecycle where databases evolve across environments. In a development setting, you might have feature-specific databases, such as Sales_Feature and Finance_Feature. Within Sales_Feature, a synonym might be configured to point to an object in Finance_Feature. This setup functions seamlessly during development.
However, upon transitioning to production, the database landscape shifts. You might have consolidated databases named simply “Sales” and “Finance”. The intention is for the synonym, previously pointing to Finance_Feature, to now correctly reference the “Finance” database in production. While the object names might remain consistent, the underlying server or database instance could change. This scenario presents a subtle challenge: how do we ensure that our database comparison tools recognize these synonym alterations as actual differences requiring deployment?
Let’s illustrate this with a practical example using “Dev” and “Prod” databases on the same instance for simplicity. We’ll create a synonym in a “Dev” database that points to a table in a different database.
USE [SimpleTalk_1_Dev]
GO
CREATE SYNONYM dbo.MyTable FOR Compare1.dbo.MyTable
GONext, we’ll establish a similar synonym in a “Prod” database, but crucially, we’ll point it to a different target location, simulating a dev-to-QA or dev-to-prod environment change.
USE [SimpleTalk_5_Prod]
GO
CREATE SYNONYM dbo.MyTable FOR Compare2.dbo.MyTable
GONow, if we execute a comparison using SQL Compare with default settings between these two databases, the results might be unexpected: no differences are reported. Despite the synonyms pointing to distinct locations, SQL Compare, by default, overlooks these variations.
The Default Behavior: Ignoring Database and Server Names
The reason behind this behavior lies in SQL Compare’s default project settings. The tool is designed with the understanding that database deployments often involve moving databases across different servers or instances. In many cases, users are primarily concerned with schema and object differences, rather than variations in server or database names within synonym definitions.
To accommodate this common scenario, SQL Compare incorporates an option to “Ignore database and server name in synonyms.” This setting is enabled by default. You can access this setting by editing your SQL Compare project. Navigate to “Edit project,” then select the “Options” tab. Scrolling down, you will find the checkbox labeled “Ignore database and server name in synonyms.”
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With this option selected, SQL Compare effectively disregards differences in the server and database parts of synonym object references during comparisons. This explains why, in our initial scenario, the synonym variations were not flagged as discrepancies.
The Solution: Disabling the “Ignore” Option
To accurately detect synonym differences that involve changes in database or server names, the solution is to simply uncheck the “Ignore database and server name in synonyms” option in your SQL Compare project settings.
After unchecking this option and re-running the comparison between our “Dev” and “Prod” databases, the outcome changes significantly. SQL Compare now correctly identifies the synonym variations as differences between the databases.
This adjustment ensures that synonym changes, even those limited to server or database name modifications, are captured during database comparisons and deployments. This is particularly crucial when migrating databases across environments where server and database naming conventions differ.
Broad Application Across Redgate Tools
It’s important to note that this “Ignore database and server name in synonyms” option is not exclusive to SQL Compare. It is a core setting within the SQL Compare engine, which powers a range of Redgate products designed for database development and deployment automation.
Therefore, you will find this same option and its behavior in other Redgate tools that utilize the SQL Compare engine, including:
- SQL Change Automation
- SQL Source Control
- Flyway Desktop
- Redgate Deploy (and its various automation components)
If you encounter situations where synonym deployments are not reflecting expected changes, particularly concerning server or database name variations, verifying the status of this “Ignore database and server name in synonyms” option should be a primary troubleshooting step across these Redgate products.
Conclusion: Ensuring Accurate Synonym Comparisons
In conclusion, while SQL Compare’s default behavior of ignoring database and server names in synonyms serves a common use case, it’s essential to understand its implications and how to adjust it when necessary. For scenarios where synonym differences involve changes in database or server contexts, unchecking the “Ignore database and server name in synonyms” option is crucial to ensure accurate detection and deployment of these variations.
By understanding and managing this setting, you can leverage the full power of SQL Compare and related Redgate tools to maintain consistent and correctly configured databases across all your environments.
If you are seeking to streamline your database development and deployment processes with DevOps best practices, consider exploring the Redgate Deploy suite. You can download a trial to experience the benefits of automated and reliable database management.
