I used visual studio 2013 for developing a web application and used a localDB in development phase, now I want to go to production phase and want to export the sql server localDb to the online SQL server database, but I cannot find any option to script out the localDb or migrate it?
Which tools I can use to do this ? or what I must do?
There are atleast two routes; you could publish and recover as Data Tier Application:
Or, the easier-but-lengthier route would be to:
Create a new DB in the SQL Server Management Studio (Naming it the same as LocalDB is helpful if you just want to change the connection string later)
Right-click database on SQL Server Object Explorer and select Schema Compare
Click Select Target and navigate through Select Target Schema(Dialog) > Database > Click on Select Connection > Connect(Dialog) > Browse > Local > Database Name > Select the Databse you created in Step-1. Then, click OK
Click Compare or, hit Shift+Alt+C
Then, the Schema Comparator tells you whats different between the two databases (the one from MSSqlLocalDB and the one you just created in Step-1). It is important to remember unchecking ANY entries for delete operations, if you are simply transferring data and schema. Keep add operations as it is.
Then, click on ↑UPDATE (the option is located right beside Compare)
Your Target database should be updated
You can attach the localDb to SQLServer 2005 or higher and then you can generate scripts or export data to remote server.
Or
If LocalDb is SQL Server 2012, use SSMS 2012 or later for this scripting task.
Unfortunately VS2013 does not has any feature to script out a localDb, I waste so many time to copy table by table scripts, and run it at remote db. my local db id sql v11.0 (2012 I think). and the remote db was sql server 2008. so one way exist is to install an instance of sql server 2012 and sql server management studio to script out my db. maybe another tools also exist it is very sad that vs has not this feature.
Related
I Generated an SQL File to backup a database using MSSMS:
Right click on database
Generate scripts
Marked "Schema and data" on "Types of data to script"
As a result I got a complete SQL that effectively seems to contain all the needed information to rebuild my db from scratch, data included.
To test it, I tried to run it locally, and found myself stuck because MSSMS is throwing errors on the SQL Script that it itself made.... I does not make any sense :(
Am I missing sth?:
This is the first lines of the sql file just as MSSMS made it:
Any ideas?
EDIT 1
This is the error I get after removing all "ALTER DATABASE" (I assumed those were the configuration specifications that were causing trouble)
It now says the tables are already created though they are not present in the database (it did create the database tough, It's a progress!)
The script you are trying to execute contains elements that are not valid because the edition of SQL you are running locally is not the same as the edition of SQL used to generate the script.
In your case, the script was generated from azure SQL, but you are running it on sql server express edition (localdb)
Remove the azure SQL specific elements and it will work.
The default scripting option in SSMS object explorer is the same database engine type and edition as the source database. It seems the source database is Azure SQL Database based on the CREATE DATABASE syntax so the script will not run against a stand-alone instance like your LocalDB instance.
You can either modify the script or generate a new script appropriate for your target instance. To generate a script for SQL Express LocalDB, click on the Advanced button on the Set Scripting Options page of the Generate Scripts wizard. Select these options:
Script for the database engine edition: Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition
Script for the database engine type: Stand-alone instance
I can't attach my database. When I try to attach a database in SQL Server Management Studio, I get this error:
The database 'C:\FILES\ACCOUNTING.MDF' cannot be opened because it is version 904. This server supports version 852 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported. Could not open new database 'C:\FILES\ACCOUNTING.MDF'. CREATE DATABASE is aborted. (.Net SqlClient Data Provider)
and I have tried these commands:
cd "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\130\LocalDB\Binn"
SqlLocalDB.exe delete "MSSQLLocalDB"
SqlLocalDB.exe create "MSSQLLocalDB"
but it still has an error
You CANNOT do this - you cannot attach/detach or backup/restore a database from a newer version of SQL Server (v904 = SQL Server 2019) down to an older version (v852 which is SQL Server 2016) - the internal file structures are just too different to support backwards compatibility.
You can either get around this problem by
using the same version of SQL Server on all your machines - then you can easily backup/restore databases between instances
otherwise you can create the database scripts for both structure (tables, view, stored procedures etc.) and for contents (the actual data contained in the tables) either in SQL Server Management Studio (Tasks > Generate Scripts) or using a third-party tool
or you can use a third-party tool like Red-Gate's SQL Compare and SQL Data Compare to do "diffing" between your source and target, generate update scripts from those differences, and then execute those scripts on the target platform; this works across different SQL Server versions.
The error message in the problem statement occurs because the SQL Server database files (*.mdf, *.ndf and *.ldf) and backups are not backward compatible. Backward compatibility is why we cannot restore or attach a database created from a higher version of SQL Server to a lower version of SQL Server. However, there are a few options that can help us to downgrade the database from a higher version of SQL Server to a lower version SQL Server. These options include:
Use the Generate Scripts Wizard in SQL Server Management Studio
Use SQL Server Integration Services
Create Custom Scripting and BCP
In this tip we will use the Generate Scripts Wizard in SQL Server Management Studio.
Here are the basic steps we need to follow:
Script the database schema and data from the higher version of SQL Server by using the Generate Scripts Wizard in SSMS.
Connect to the lower version of SQL Server, and run the SQL scripts that were generated in the previous step, to create the database schema and data.
In the next section, I will demonstrate the steps for downgrading a SQL Server 2012 database to SQL Server 2008 R2 database.
Steps to Downgrade a SQL Server Database Using SSMS Generate Scripts Wizard
Step 1 Script the schema of the OUTLANDER database on the SQL Server
2012 instance (IITCUK\DEV01) using the Generate Scripts wizard in
SSMS.
In Object Explorer connect to IITCUK\DEV01, right-click on the
OUTLANDER database, expand Tasks and choose "Generate Scripts...".
This launches Generate and Publish Scripts wizard. Click Next, to skip the Introduction screen and proceed to the Choose Objects page.
On the Choose Objects page, choose option "Script entire database and all database objects", and then click Next to proceed to "Set Scripting Options" page.
n the Advanced Scripting Options dialog box,
set Script for Server Version to SQL Server 2008 R2 (or whatever version you want)
under the Table/View Options, set Script Triggers, Script Indexes and Script Primary Keys to True
and set Types of data to script to Schema and Data - this last option is key because this is what generates the data per table.
Once done, click OK, to close the Advanced Scripting Options dialog box and return to Set Scripting Options page. In Set Scripting Options page, click Next to continue to Summary page.
After reviewing your selections on Summary page, click Next to generate scripts.
Once scripts are generated successfully, choose the Finish button to close the Generate and Publish Scripts wizard.
Step 2 Connect to the SQL Server 2008 R2 instance
(IITCUK\SQLSERVER2008), and then run the SQL scripts that were
generated in Step 1, to create the OUTLANDER database schema and data.
In Object Explorer connect to IITCUK\SQLServer2008, then in SQL Server
Management Studio, open the SQL Server script you saved in Step 1
Modify the script, to specify the correct location for the OUTLANDER database data and log files. Once done, run the script to create the OUTLANDER database on IITCUK\SQLServer2008 instance.
Upon successful execution, refresh the Database folder in Object Explorer. As you can see in the following image, the OUTLANDER database has been successfully downgraded.
Notes
There are a few things to be aware of when using this approach.
This solution creates one large SQL file that has the scripts to create the database objects and also INSERT statements for the data in the tables.
For a large databases, the SQL file can get very large if you script out both the schema and the data and could be hard to load into an editor. Also, you may get a memory related error message from the editor if the file is too big.
For large databases, around 1GB or more, if this approach does not work, then you should look at using SSIS to migrate the database or create custom scripts to script out the objects and BCP out the data for each of the tables. You can use this Generate Scripts wizard to just generate the schema without the data and use SSIS or BCP to export and import the data.
This approach works for SQL Server 2017 to SQL Server 2005. Some of the scripting options might be a bit different in newer versions, but the process is still the same.
Before just executing the script, you should review the script to make sure everything looks correct such as the path of the database files, database options, etc.
Also if you are using new functionality that does not exist in the lower version, SQL Server won't be able to create the objects and you will need to review the scripts that were generated and update the code accordingly.
For a very simple database this approach should work pretty easliy, but you might need to spend some time making some modifications to the script for a more complex database.
Below is a list of all of the scripting options. If you click on an item, the bottom part of the screen gives you a short definition of the option.
Next Steps
To avoid this issue, always make sure that you perform a full backup of the database before you upgrade the SQL Server and database to a higher version of SQL Server. In addition, be sure to thoroughly test the application prior to releasing the application to the users.
Consider this downgrade option as your last option to rollback from an upgrade because the time and storage needed can be very large.
With a very large database be sure you have sufficient storage to support the data needs.
Be sure to verify row and object counts as well as test your application before releasing to production.
Additional Resources:
Why Can't I Restore a Database to an Older Version of SQL Server?
SQL Server Database Engine Backward Compatibility
SQL Server Upgrade Tips
I am trying to copy an existing DB, which exists in SQL Server 2008 r2 management studio including data.
Is there any option to copy database in the management studio?
Right click on the database in Object Explorer -> Tasks -> Copy Database
You also need to make sure the SQL Agent (SQL Server Agent (MSSQLSERVER)) service is running
Right Click Database which you want to export. Then choose task from the options now you can export the data or you can generate script which you can run on another server.
For Generating the script choose it and wizard will open up. then decide where you want to save the script.
You have to remind you have to hit advanced button and select type of data to choose select schema and data for getting data in the database other it will select only structure of the database.
How to restore a higher version SQL Server database backup file onto a lower version SQL Server?
Using SQL Server 2008 R2 (10.50.1600), I made a backup file and now I want to restore it on my live server's SQL Server 2008 (10.00.1600).
When I tried to restore the backup onto SQL Server 2008 it gives an error i.e. Restore Failed because:
The database was backed up on a server running version 10.50.1600.
That version is incompatible with this server, which is running version
10.00.1600.
How do I restore the backup file on this server?
You can use functionality called Export Data-Tier Application which generates .bacpac file consisting database schema and data.
On destination server, you can use Import Data-Tier Application option which creates and populates new database from pre-created .bacpac file
If you want just to transfer database schema, you can use Extract Data-Tier Application for creating file and Deploy Data-Tier Application for deploying created database schema.
I've tried this process on different versions of SQL Server from SQL 2014 to SQL 2012 and from SQL 2014 to SQL 2008R2 and worked well.
No, is not possible to downgrade a database. 10.50.1600 is the SQL Server 2008 R2 version. There is absolutely no way you can restore or attach this database to the SQL Server 2008 instance you are trying to restore on (10.00.1600 is SQL Server 2008). Your only options are:
upgrade this instance to SQL Server 2008 R2 or
restore the backup you have on a SQL Server 2008 R2 instance, export all the data and import it on a SQL Server 2008 database.
You can not restore database (or attach) created in the upper version into lower version. The only way is to create a script for all objects and use the script to generate database.
select "Schema and Data" - if you want to Take both the
things in to the Backup script file select Schema Only -
if only schema is needed.
Yes, now you have done with the Create Script with Schema and Data of the Database.
Will not necessarily work
Backup / Restore - will not work when the target is an earlier MS SQL version.
Copy Database - will not work when the target is SQL Server Express: "The destination server cannot be a SQL Server 2005 or later Express instance."
Data import - Will not copy the schema.
Will work
Script generation - Tasks -> Generate Scripts. Make sure you set the desired target SQL Server version on the Set Scripting Options -> Advanced page. You can also choose there whether to copy schema, data, or both. Note that in the generated script, you may need to change the DATA folder for the mdf/ldf files if moving from non-express to express or vice versa.
Microsoft SQL Server Database Publishing Services - comes with SQL Server 2005 and above, I think. Download the latest version from here. Prerequisites: sqlncli.msi/sqlncli_x64.msi/sqlncli_ia64.msi, SQLServer2005_XMO.msi/SQLServer2005_XMO_x64.msi/SQLServer2005_XMO_ia64.msi (download here).
Here are my 2 cents on different options for completing this:
Third party tools: Probably the easiest way to get the job done is to create an empty database on lower version and then use third party tools to read the backup and synchronize new newly created database with the backup.
Red gate is one of the most popular but there are many others like ApexSQL Diff , ApexSQL Data Diff, Adept SQL, Idera …. All of these are premium tools but you can get the job done in trial mode ;)
Generating scripts: as others already mentioned you can always script structure and data using SSMS but you need to take into consideration the order of execution. By default object scripts are not ordered correctly and you’ll have to take care of the dependencies. This may be an issue if database is big and has a lot of objects.
Import and export wizard: This is not an ideal solution as it will not restore all objects but only data tables but you can consider it for quick and dirty fixes when it’s needed.
Another way to do this is to use "Copy Database" feature:
Find by right clicking the source database > "Tasks" > "Copy Database".
You can copy the database to a lower version of SQL Server Instance. This worked for me from a SQL Server 2008 R2 (SP1) - 10.50.2789.0 to Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (SP2) - 10.0.3798.0
You can try this.
Create a Database onto SQL Server 2008.
Using Import Data feature import data from SQL Server R2 (or any higher version).
use "RedGate SQLCompare" to synchronize script.
Go to Task->Generate Scripts...
In Advanced in "Types of data for script" select "Schema and data" and try to run this script in your lower version.
It's not pretty, but this is how I did it granted you have this option installed on your SQL 2008 R2 install..
1) Right click database in SQL Server 2008 R2 "Tasks".. "Generate scripts" in the wizard, select the entire database and objects in first step. On the "Set Scripting Options" step you should see a button "Advanced" , select this and make sure you select "Script for Server Version" = SQL Server 2008" not R2 version.
This is a crucial step, because "import data" by itself does not bring along all the primary keys, constriants and any other objects like stored procedures."
2) Run the SQL script generated on the new install or database instance SQL Express or SQL Server 2008 using the query window or open saved .sql script and execute and you should see the new database.
3) Now right click on the new database and select "Tasks".. "Import Data.." choose source as the R2 database and the destination as the new database. "Copy data from one or more tables or views", select the top checkbox to select all tables and then next step, run the package and you should have everything on a older version. This should work for going back to a 2005 version as well. Hope this helps someone out.
you can use BCP in and out for small tables.
BCP OUT command:-
BCP "SELECT * FROM [Dinesh].[dbo].[Invoices]" QUERYOUT C:\av\Invoices1.txt -S MC0XENTC -T -c -r c:\error.csv
BCP IN command:-
Create table structure for Invoicescopy1.
BCP [Dinesh].[dbo].[Invoicescopy1] IN C:\av\Invoices.txt -S MC0XENTC -T -c
I appreciate this is an old post, but it may be useful for people to know that the Azure Migration Wizard (available on Codeplex - can't link to is as Codeplex is at the moment I'm typing this) will do this easily.
You'd have to use the Import/Export wizards in SSMS to migrate everything
There is no "downgrade" possible using backup/restore or detach/attach. Therefore what you have to do is:
Backup the database from the server running the new SSMS/SQL version.
Import data from the generated .bak file, by expanding the "Tasks" menu(after right-clicking the target database) and selecting the "Import Data" option.
You can generate script from Task menu
For detailed reference
How to migrate a SQL Server database to a lower version
I'm trying to do some excercises from exam 70-515. Unfortunately I fail while trying to attach Northwind to a grid-control. It would result in:
NORTHWND.MDF' cannot be opened because it is version 655. This server supports version 612 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.
I use Windows 7 Home and MS Visual Web Developer 2010 Express. As fas as I understand this error, SQL Express must be an old version on my system. I downloaded and installed SQL Express 2008r2 from here. No effect. From other sources I figured out that I might need to change the instance name: Tools -> Options -> Database Tools -> Data Connections -> SQL Server Instance Name. There it is written SQLEXPRESS. I don't know what else I should insert there?
Turns out that deinstalling SQL Express and reinstall the latest version fixed the problem. I chose SQLSERVER2008 as Instance-Name while installing and set it in Visual Studio as described above.
Go to the Services control panel and look for a service named SQL Server (XXX) -- that XXX is the name of the instance that service is running. You just have to find the 2008R2 instance that you installed and type that into the "SQL Server Instance Name" box.
Might help to try to change the compatibility level, to make sure its backwards compatible.
Verify what level it is
USE VJ_DATABASE;
GO
SELECT compatibility_level
FROM sys.databases WHERE name = 'VJ_DATABASE';
GO
Then make it compatible with the older version
ALTER DATABASE VJ_DATABASE
SET COMPATIBILITY_LEVEL = 110;
GO
100 = Sql Server 2008
110 = Sql Server 2012
120 = Sql Server 2014
By default, Sql Server 2014 will change the db versions compatibility to only 2014, using the ## version you should be able to tell, which version Sql Server is.
Then run the command above to change it the version you have.
Additional step: Ensure you look at the accessibility of the DB is not reset, do this by right clicking on properties of the folder and the database. (make sure you have rights so you don't get an access denied)
I read this post but nothing helped me. Then I tried a few other options.
The way that I found that worked was to export the database and stored procedures from the original database. Then upload them into the second database(second computer).
Firstly export the DB content (data) - I used SQL server export data wizard. on the database you wish to export from right click then choose tasks, then export data. Follow the instructions and save in whichever format is best for you - I used excel for the data.
then to export the stored procedures rightclick the database name again. choose tasks and this time choose generate scripts. again follow the instructions of the wizard.
To import the data simply go to the second computer and right click the database you wish to import the data into. again tasks > import data. Follow the instructions to import all of the data from the database.
Finally to import the stored procedures, I opened up a new stored procedures command and dragged and dropped the script file that I had previously saved them in and dropped it into this window. The new stored procedure window filled with the entire list of my stored procedures. Finally change the name of the database name that will be used by the SP ( if this is different from the original DB name). (This is the first line USE [DBName]. then simply execute and the SP's will be fully restored.
This has helped me get my entire database up and running again very quickly. Hope this helps.
The SQL Management Studio is different than the SQL Server Version (or Database version). Example: At the current time, my work computer has SQL Server 2012 Management Studio but the SQL Version is 9.0 – which is SQL Server 2005. The SQL Management studio is only an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) and is NOT the same as the SQL Server version.
If when you try to Attach a Database, if you get an error similar to the following:
“The database 'AdventureWorks2008' cannot be opened because it is version 655. This server supports version 612 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.
Could not open new database 'AdventureWorks2008'. CREATE DATABASE is aborted. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 948)”.
It means that the Database that you are trying to Attach was created with a Newer SQL version then what your computer has and you will NOT be able to use it. See if they have that Database that was created with the same or earlier version of SQL Server that your computer uses. In this case, I found the same Database that was created with SQL Server 2005 (Version 9).
A quick way to check what SQL Server version the computer is running, from the Windows desktop, go to Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), click on the Processess tab, find and select the entry named “sqlservr.exe”, right click and choose Properties, click on the Details tab look at Product Version (Ex. 9….) or File Version (File version states the year and the version - Ex. 2005.9…).
Really this is the same error that i get, but until now i did not solve the problem!!
Go to Tools>Options>Data Connections, provided you have installed SQL Server Express 2008r2, leave the SQL Server instance name blank.
This happens when you are trying to use the SQLServer Express to connect to the MDF file. To remedy this issue, you need to go to Services.msc and turn on SQL Server services. You need to set the log on properties and when the service is started, you will be able to connect to the MDF file without any issues.