Utilities

Aveek Das
Download SQL Package Utility

Getting Started with the SQLPackage Utility

May 28, 2020 by

In this article, I’m going to explain in detail about the SQLPackage utility that is provided by Microsoft in order to automate database deployments. In my previous article regarding Data-Tier Applications in SQL Server, I have mentioned how to create a DACPAC and a BACPAC file from an existing SQL Server Database. The underlying technology behind creating the DACPAC and the BACPAC files is the SQLPackage utility, which helps to create those files.

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Esat Erkec
SQL unit testing - tSQLt framework tsqlt.ExpectException result image

SQL Unit Testing: Working with exceptions

May 21, 2019 by

With this article, we will complete our journey with SQL Unit Testing. But first, let’s remember the main theme of the SQL Unit Testing again briefly. With the help of the SQL Unit Testing, we can detect and find out the flaws and bugs in database projects. This reduces the possible loss of time and money and reputation during the use of the product. However, it should be kept in mind that no matter how many tests are carried out, there will still be some bugs in the project, but SQL unit tests provide a greater degree of confidence. The fact that there are no bugs or flaws in the application at that time does not mean that the application is perfect. We cannot test all combinations and probabilities of the database objects. That is why in real life, considering certain parameters (risk, priority, etc.) we must ensure that a “reasonably sufficient” test is done.

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Esat Erkec
SQL Unit testing results with tSQLt

SQL Unit Testing Mocking Stored Procedures

May 8, 2019 by

In this SQL Unit testing article, we will continue our journey with SQL unit testing. In the previous articles of this series (see the TOC at the bottom), we mentioned about SQL unit testing essentials and designing approaches as well and then we reinforce these notions with various tSQLt framework practical examples. In this article, we will continue to learn how to mock stored procedures in the tSQLt framework and we will provide it with two examples.

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Esat Erkec
tSQLt framework unit test result

SQL unit testing best practices

April 8, 2019 by

SQL unit testing is a testing method which allows us to test the smallest, atomic programmable part of a database object. SQL unit testing plays a key role in the modern database development cycle because it allows us to test individual parts of the database objects work as expected. SQL unit testing adds a great worth to the database project because unit tests are more reliable then manual test methods.

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Esat Erkec
tSQLt Test Adapter for Visual Studio VSIX Installer

SQL Unit testing with the tSQLt framework and SQL Server Database Project integration

March 25, 2019 by

In the previous article SQL unit testing with the tSQLt framework for beginners in this series, we covered tSQLt framework essentials and installation. we also demonstrated basic SQL unit testing through the tSQLt framework. In this article, we will continue to explore SQL unit testing and we will also discuss the benefits of SQL unit testing. Additionally, we will learn how we can use the tSQLt framework in a SQL Server Database Project.

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Prashanth Jayaram

Continuous Database Delivery (CD) using SQL Server Tools SqlPackage.exe

August 14, 2018 by

A little curiosity on my part led me to research a little further on the available pieces of SQL Server Tools. A cross-platform tool for continuous integration and deployment, called SqlPackage, is part of SQL Server Data Tools. I picked it up because continuous integration, delivery and deployment are now must-have in the modern-day application development paradigm.

We’d talk about the following in this article:

  1. The Database Management Life Cycle
  2. Complexities of the database release management process
  3. Introduction to SQL Server Data Tools and SqlPackage
  4. Using SqlPackage.exe, with examples
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Prashanth Jayaram

The BCP (Bulk Copy Program) command in action

August 13, 2018 by

There are various methods available for bulk data operations.

  1. BCP utility
  2. BULK INSERT
  3. Using OPENROWSET
  4. Import/Export wizard

The BCP (Bulk Copy Program) utility is a command line that program that bulk-copies data between a SQL instance and a data file using a special format file. The BCP utility can be used to import large numbers of rows into SQL Server or export SQL Server data into files. The BCP data files don’t include any schema details or format information. Hence, it is recommended to create a format file to record the data format so in case of any failures, you can refer to the format file and better understand the data format to determine what may have gone wrong..

We’ve been using the BCP tool for a long time, the reason being that it has a very low overhead, and works great for bulk exporting and importing of data. It is one of the most efficient ways to handle bulk import and export of data.

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Prashanth Jayaram

Overview of the SQLCMD utility in SQL Server

August 13, 2018 by

This article is aimed at helping you understand the sqlcmd utility. Of course, this is a tool most of us have used it at several occasions given that the tool has been around for a decade now. However, to be a solid starting point, this article contains some examples that help you understand the tool from different viewpoints.

This article discusses the following:

  1. How to enable SQLCMD
  2. A few important points to remember
  3. SQLCMD with scripting variables in SSMS
  4. Passing variables (or argument) as T-SQL and or a SQL Script file
  5. SQLCMD with scripting variables and Windows scripting in SSMS
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