xSQL Database Compare tools V3.5 released

We just released version 3.5 of our database comparison and synchronization engine xSQL SDK, the schema comparison and synchronization tool xSQL Object, and the data compare and synchronization tool xSQL Data Compare.

The new version includes:

• Support for SQL Server 2008 R2.
• The passwords for SQL Server connections are now encrypted and stored in the workspace file thus eliminating the need to enter the password each time the xSQL comparison tools are launched.
• Fixing the discrepancies between the name in the object definition and the name in the system catalog. This enhancement addresses an issue caused when the sp_rename procedure is used to rename objects with sql definition such as procedures, views, functions and triggers. The procedure sp_rename in these cases changes only the name in the sys catalog, but it does not change the name in the object's definition. This particular problem manifests itself mostly on SQL Server 2000 databases.
• A new schema options named "Include objects with invalid dependencies" replaces the previous option named "Include views with invalid dependencies"; in addition to views this option now affects stored procedures, functions and triggers.
• Trial expiration issue on Windows Vista and Windows 7 with UAC on. The enhancement addresses an issue with early expiration of xSQL Object and xSQL Data Compare trial period on Windows Vista and Windows 7 when the UAC is turned on - it guarantees that both tools will be fully functional with no restriction for the duration of the trial period. After the trial, the products will revert to Lite edition.
• Some enhancements and bug fixing in the command line utilities including a newly added error code that tracks script execution errors.
• A fix to stored procedure multi-line comments.
• An enhancement in the way xSQL Data Compare handles identity columns. Explicit updates of the identity columns are no longer supported and will trigger data warnings.

You can download the new version from: http://www.xsql.com/download/

Free SQL Compare tools for SQL Server

If you are looking for a free schema compare tool that allows you to compare and synchronize the schemas of two SQL Server databases, like your development database with the production database, then xSQL Object is the tool for you. Not only is it one of the best tools in the market (don’t take our word for it – give it a try and you will see for yourself) but what’s unmatched in the industry is the way our licensing works. I will give you the details below but the end result is that most of our users enjoy using xSQL Object completely free. Here is how our licensing works:

• everyone downloads the same xSQL Comparison Bundle package that includes xSQL Object and xSQL Data Compare;
• for the first two weeks the applications function as if you had purchased a professional license;
• after the first two weeks the licensing module first checks the edition of the databases you are comparing:
• if both databases are SQL Server Express edition then you see no difference – works the same as before;
• if one of the databases in the comparison is something other than SQL Server Express then the licensing module checks the number of objects in that database (number of tables, stored procedures, views, functions)
• if the number of objects is within the limits of what we call the Lite Edition then again the application works and you don’t see any difference;
• if the number of objects is greater than those limits then you are kindly notified that to compare and sync that database you need to acquire a license. Well, someone has to pay for all that development effort that goes into our products :)

You can download xSQL Bundle from: