A 'chaotic' database development will encounter numerous difficulties. The shared development server suffers frequent downtime due to 'breaking changes'. Developers are often 'blocked' waiting for other work to complete. There is little visibility into which objects are being changed and why. Deployments are prone to failure and often cause problems on the live server that require immediate troubleshooting.

If any of this sounds familiar, then this session will allow you to introduce the control, stability, and automation that will lead to much more manageable automated and low risk database deployments.

First, we will set up a repository, create and manage branches, introduce pull requests to visualize the review process that merges the changes into main.

Next stop is an effective branching strategy that aligns with development workflows and facilitates efficient collaboration among team members.

With the repository in place attendees will learn how to automate deploying changes to different environments, using a CI/CD pipelines. Hands-on exercises will give participants the opportunity to practice creating a pipeline and deploying database changes to different environments.

This session is designed for (database) developers and DBAs that are not yet using a version control system for their database (20% of the SQLCentral audience) or those who are already using a version control system other than Git (another 20% of the SQLCentral audience) and finally those who use Git and want to learn how to automate the deployment of their database code.

Participants will gain a strong understanding of how to use Git as a version control system, and a clear roadmap for implementing a successful branching strategy that supports collaborative and distributed working. They will also learn how to set up pipelines for applying database changes using Git, PowerShell, and YAML, and will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to implement a pipeline in their own development workflows. This session is a must-attend for anyone who wants to take their database development to the next level and ensure a smooth and efficient development workflow.