DBVersion

DBVersion is a database versioning tool, used to synchronize and keep track of database changes. It can also be used to make sure your development and products database are synchronized! [h2]Installation instructions[/h2] [b]1.[/b] Download DBVersion here, unzip contents to the application folder.

[b]2.[/b] Create an XML file that will be used to store the DB changes. Here's a template file with full syntax: [code] <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <![CDATA[ SELECT * FROM any_sql_data ]]>

<version id="2">
    <dropColumn name="table.column" />
</version>

[/code] [b]3.[/b] Check out the configuration file for the CIDBVersion library, point it to the XML file and make sure you have a DB user that can ALTER, CREATE and DROP. [b]4.[/b] Execute a Dry run of the library, testing what it looks like. Here's an example (from a controller) how to run it: [code] $this->load->library('CIDBVersion'); $this->cidbversion->DryRun(); [/code] [b]5.[/b] If the xml validates and the output looks good, get ready to update! It's very simple as well, here's a code snippet: [code] $this->load->library('CIDBVersion');

if(!$this->cidbversion->LatestDBVersion()) { $this->cidbversion->Synchronize(); } [/code] As you see, the LatestDBVersion() method can be used to test if the DB is up-to-date. [b]6.[/b] For every change you make on your database, update the XML file with a new version element.

[b]Remember:[/b] If something goes wrong or the XML isn't validated, no changes will be made to the DB!