Introduction:
When it comes to refreshing data in SQL Server databases, there are various methods available. One common approach is to generate data scripts or use the data import and export wizard. However, these methods may not be suitable for large databases due to space and time constraints, as well as firewall issues between production and test environments.
In this article, we will explore an alternative method using a BACPAC package for refreshing tables in SQL Server databases. A BACPAC (Backup Package) consists of both schema and data for SQL Server tables, making it a convenient option for data refresh.
Overview of a DACPAC and BACPAC package:
A DACPAC (Data-Tier Application Package) is a logical database entity that defines all database objects such as tables, views, users, and logins. It allows developers and database administrators to create a single package file consisting of database objects. On the other hand, a BACPAC package contains both schema and data for SQL Server tables.
Exporting a BACPAC package:
To export data and schema for a database and create another copy of the database, follow these steps:
- Connect to a SQL instance and expand databases in the object explorer.
- Right-click on the source SQL Database and click on “Export Data-tier application”.
- Specify the export settings, such as the location to store the BACPAC file.
- Review the export summary and click Finish to start the export process.
Importing a BACPAC package:
To import a BACPAC package to a destination SQL instance, follow these steps:
- Copy the BACPAC file to the destination SQL instance.
- Right-click on the connected destination instance and launch the “Import Data-tier Application” wizard.
- Specify the path of the BACPAC file and the settings for the new database.
- Review the import summary and click Finish to start the import process.
Validating the imported database:
After importing the BACPAC package, you can validate the schema of the imported database using the schema compare extension of Azure Data Studio. This allows you to compare the schema between the source and target databases to ensure they are identical.
Using import and export wizard:
Once you have the data in the newly imported database, you can use the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard to further manipulate the data. For example, you can use the wizard to refresh specific tables in the database.
Conclusion:
In this article, we have explored the usage of a BACPAC package for exporting and importing SQL database tables data. This method provides an alternative approach for data refresh, especially for large databases with space and time constraints. By using BACPAC packages, you can easily refresh data in SQL Server databases while avoiding firewall issues between production and test environments.