2-3 months ago, I have deployed the application I was working on the client. Since then a lot of changes have been made and I did not work on this project. The database changed significantly but the sql script have not been updated with the latest changes. Now, I have to get back on the project to make an update to the client. I can generate a new set of scripts to create a new database, but how am I suppose to update the production database …

Before I left, I gave instruction on how to version every changes to the database. I wanted to have scripts with every changes that have been made and then run them on the client on future update.

Let’s see the pros and cons of not doing so :

PROS :

• Save time when developing

CONS :

• No way to easily update an existing database
• Loose time trying to figure out what is changed
• No confidence that you will update the existing database correctly
• No way to get back in time if needed

Please, version your sql script! It will be much easier for those doing the futur work.