Which is the best sql schema comparison tool for Oracle?

Question

It should be a tool to enable versioning of a database schema and efficiently updating databases with older versions of the schema:

• robustness, does it handle all edge cases
• support for data migration
• command line execution
• flexibility, can some data be compared as well

In the answers a breakdown on support for these points (and anything I may have missed) would be appreciated.

Answer 1

You did not say which database version, but let's assume lastest Oracle version, I named 11.2. There is a very nice feature to compare objects - DBMS_METADATA_DIFF, find out more : http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E11882_01/server.112/e10701/metadata_api.htm#BABIDHGE However I'm not sure if that give you the answer you are expecting. Otherwise, there is also the EDITION feature : http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E11882_01/server.112/e10592/statements_5009.htm#SQLRF20017

Nicolas.

Answer 2

Red Gate Software now has tools for compaing both Oracle schema and data. Schema Compare for Oracle http://www.red-gate.com/products/Schema_Compare_for_Oracle/index.htm - allows you to compare and synchronize the schemas of Oracle databases. It currently supports 9i, 10g and 11g. We have a command line version

You can download and try out the EAP of Data Compare for Oracle from - http://www.red-gate.com/products/data_compare_for_oracle_eap/index.htm

Tom Harris, Red Gate Software