TIP: Comparing database (db) structures using MS Word.

[d-woo]

Although my January 2003 snapshot was based on v2.2, there were still some slight differences from the newest snapshots (2.2MS1 and later).

 

Before I merged the data, I first needed to be certain that my structures were identical. Here's how I was able to do it quite efficiently.

 

 

Comparing two database structures for differences

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Tools Needed:

1. phpMyAdmin

2. Microsoft Word

 

 

A. Create the text files

1. Access your database with phpMyAdmin

2. Click on database name at upper left

3. Scroll to section "View dump (schema) of database"

4. Click on "Select All" on right

Older phpMyAdmin Versions - Hold down shift key and select first and last field (column) to select all.

5. Click on "Structure Only" radio button on right

6. Click the box "Save as File"

7. (Windows users: Saving to your Desktop is easiest/fastest)

 

Do this for both databases. Now you should have two SQL files.

 

 

B. Open the latest file (newest db structure) in MS Word1. Open Word

2. Click File>>Open

3. At bottom of the pop up "Open" window select "all Files" under the drop down "Files of Type"

4. Locate your file from where phpMyAdmin saved it.(Desktop?)

5. Select "Text Only" if the Convert file Window pops up

 

 

C. In MS Word compare the open SQL file with other file (old db SQL structure)1. click Tools>>Track Changes>>Compare Documents

2. At bottom of the pop up "Open" window select "all Files" under the drop down "Files of Type"

3. Locate your other SQL file

4. Select "Text Only" if the Convert file Window pops up

 

D. Interpretation of Data

1. What ever text the other file has that current file does not have will show up as text with StrikeThrough

2. What ever text the current file has that the other file does not have will show up as underlined text.

[Guyver]

Ouch.....Don't you just love *nix 8)

[Druide]

any file compare programm will do this for you in 1 click, i do use ultraedit and thats suits me fine, but since i update my dev osC version whenever the latest CVS changes i dont have any such problems anymore