Apex SQL Data Diff 2008.02

Apex SQL Data Diff 2008.02 is a program for comparing the contents of two databases and database Backups.

Major Features:

1. Support for SQL Server 2008 New Features
   • New Data Types: all new datatypes are fully supported; data in tables and indexed views exposing these types can be compared and synchronized without limitations
   • • Date and Time – simplifying your work with date and time data, providing increased date range, fractional seconds precision, and time zone support:
     • • Date – defines a date within the accuracy of one day
       • Time – defines a time of a day based on a 24-hour clock within the accuracy of 100 nanoseconds
       • Datetimeoffset – defines a date that is combined with a time of a day that has time zone awareness and is based on a 24-hour clock within the accuracy of 100 nanoseconds
       • Datetime2 – defines a date that is combined with a time of day that is based on 24-hour clock within the accuracy of 100 nanoseconds: can be considered as an extension of the existing datetime type
     • Hierarchy – allowing you to construct relationships among data elements within a table
     • • Hierarchyid – represents position in a hierarchy and sets the desired relationship between rows
     • Spatial – predefined CLR data types in SQL Server allowing you to represent information about the physical location and shape of geometric objects
     • • Geography – represents data in a round-earth coordinate system and stores ellipsoidal (round-earth) data, such as GPS latitude and longitude coordinates
       • Geometry – represents data in a Euclidean (flat) coordinate system
   • Enhancements in column properties: the data from columns having these attributes is compared seamlessly to any other column
   • • Sparse columns - ordinary columns that have an optimized storage for null values
     • XML COLUMN_SET - a column of this type is only materialized when selected, and will return you all the non-NULL sparse columns in a row as an XML BLOB. COLUMN_SET column is treated as a calculated column and as any of them can be compared but cannot be sycnhronized
     • FILESTREAM varbinary (max) – the new way of storing BLOB data allowing you to store the data in the file system. Unlike columns defined with FILESTREAM attribute the ordinary varbinary(max) columns store their data in the tables. Such columns are treated as ordinary BLOB’s and the data from them get compared and synchronized the same way
     • Note: The only limitation is that FILESTREAM filegroups aren’t documented and thus tables with FILESTREAM columns aren’t grouped in the TOC
   • Data compression in tables, indexed views, indexes and constraints: differences in data of the compressed objects are detected seamlessly to uncompressed ones and also fully supported for synchronization
   • • Data (Row and Page) Compression – allows you to compress whole tables; can be configured for a whole table and/or indexed view for each partition in case of tables. ROW compression means storing fixed length data in variable length storage format and PAGE compression means minimizing the data redundancy
2. Compare and synchronize data faster than previous versions
   • ApexSQL Data Diff 2008 compares and synchronizes data up to 3x faster than previous versions.
3. Compare database backups without even having to restore them
   • No need to restore database backups to compare them. ApexSQL Data Diff treats database backups like they’re live databases.
4. Fully customize the user interface using colours and background patterns of your choice
   • ApexSQL Data Diff 2008 allows you to choose how you want comparison results to be displayed. Select the colour and background that best help you pinpoint different or equal data.
   • Source and Destination columns as well as different rows are visually differentiated using colours of your choice
5. Compare objects with different names, different schemas, and even different columns
6. Learn the application quicker through a more refined, usable user interface
   • Get help straight from the interface. Use ApexSQL Data Diff’s balloon tips and refined user interface to get to know the application as quickly as possible.
7. Visually browse different sections for Compared, Identical , and Incomparable objects
   • Immediately find Identical and Incomparable objects in one click via tabs in the result set
8. Manage Projects and view project information in one compact dialog
9. Filter objects using regular expressions
10. Generate richly detailed reports
    • ApexSQL Data Diff offers you several ways to view the data comparison results as HTML. You can also use Printable version of the report.
11. Synchronize databases in one click
    • The Synchronization wizard is designed for “one-click” synchronization using default options.
    • Or customize the synchronization by going through the other steps. You can even show or hide advanced steps using the wizard’s advanced button.
12. Schedule and Run jobs unattended, overnight etc
    • ApexSQL Data Diff offers a powerful console application allowing the tool to be used in automated processes, to be run nightly, scheduled, unattended etc. All relevant GUI operations can be performed via command line interface. The Command Line Interface offers scores of option switches, support for XML argument files as well as standard switches like Test and Help.

Requirements:

1. Software Pre-requisites: Microsoft SQL Server versions 7.0, 2000, 2005, or 2008
2. Required Components not included with Installation:
   
   • Microsoft ActiveX Data Access Objects Library (ADO) (MDAC) 2.8 or greater
   • Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP1
   • Microsoft Windows Script 5.5 or greater
3. Compatible Operating Systems:
   • Windows 2000
   • Windows XP
   • Windows 2003
   • Windows Vista
   • Windows 2008
   • Compatible with 64-bit OS versions.
4. Processor: Pentium Class Processor 600 Mhz or higher
5. RAM:512 MB RAM (256 MB minimum)
6. Disk Space for Install: 40 MB Free Disk Space (100 MB Preferred)