Snapshots

A snapshot is an SQL Delta generated copy of a database schema.

Snapshots are a great way of copying the schema and generating a backup of your database schema. Snapshots can be used like a version control system where a snapshot of the database is taken on a regular basis and then the live database can be compared to past snapshots to locate changes over time. 

Another way of using snapshots is by generating a snapshot of a remote database using DeltaSnap, a stand-alone snapshot tool and then comparing the remote snapshot to your in-house database. A script of changes between the snapshot and the live database can be generated and then sent back to the remote location for updating the remote database.

SQL Delta can generate a snapshot from two locations, Schema View project or Schema Compare project. Once the project has run there is an option to generate a snapshot of the source or source/target for view and compare respectively. Additionally these projects have On Completion events that allow the creation of a snapshot once the project has been run.

A snapshot is a copy of the schema that was loaded by SQL Delta so any filters/mapping or options that restrict the schema loading will also affect the snapshot.

SQL Delta Schema View Project projects can display the snapshot in the same way that a live database is displayed. Schema Compare Project projects can compare a snapshot and generate a change script to be deployed to your live database or for later deployment by executing the change script.