Database Build Script "Greatest Hits"

I know its been a quiet time on this blog for a while now, but I've noticed that I'm still getting visitors looking up old blog posts. It's especially true of the posts that relate to "The Patch Runner". Many of them come through a link from Wilfred van der Deijl, mainly his great post of "Version control of Database Objects". The patch runner is my grand idea for a version controlled database build script that you can use to give your developers sandbox databases to play with as well as ensuring that your live database upgrades work first time, every time. It's all still working perfectly here, and people still seem to be interested, so with that in mind I've decided to collate them a little bit. basically provide an index of all the posts I've made over the years that directly relate to database build scripts, sandboxes and version control. So, Rob's database build script 'Greatest Hits':

• On the basic idea of building a database in an agile manner
• On how you might start putting together a version controlled database build script
• On how you can organise patches to reduce the pain of a rolling back changes
• On the arguments between table-centric and patch-centric database build scripts
• On what automated build scripts give you
• On having the build script be able to tell when something goes wrong, and stop
• On how you can use your automated builds to give you a sandbox
• On why your DBAs shouldn't burst into tears when you tell them you need a database for each developer
• On how you database build script can work with you version control tool
• As well as: a presentation given to the UK OUG

All of the posts describe processes and patch runners that are very similar to those that I use in my work every day. I started playing with these theories over 3 years ago now and there is no way I'd go back to implement database upgrades the way I did before. However, I'd LOVE to hear ideas on how things can be improved. I'd be amazed if my three year old thinking was still up to date! Technorati Tags: oracle,, rdbms,, software,, development,, upgrades,, Robert+Baillie