Are there databases that support branches?

Question

What I'm really looking for would be the equivalent of a lightweight database snapshot that could be further modified.

The database can be huge, but the image itself must be tiny and keep in touch with the parent.

Something like this will allow me to have, in fact, a database on each branch. It can also be used to test an environment that goes almost directly against production, but without the possibility of its impact.

I am most interested in the implementation or extensions of relational databases. But anything would have been discovered.

Answer 1

I don't think branching exists for any DBMS; about the near you can get the cloning of the entire database by backing up and restoring or BULK INSERTing to a new database.

You can try to copy your own branching system by cloning the target database schema for each branch and preserving the “differences” in it (that is, edited records), but then you will need a query in both databases, resolving editing conflicts and descending into a unique circle Hell when it comes time to insert or delete records.

Personally, I would just go with a full / partial clone for initial testing and a smaller subset for the branches where you are editing the circuit.

Answer 2

Thoughts: I also did not see a relational database system that includes the concept of branching ... although the concept itself seems to be very useful IMHO.

I know that Microsoft Team Foundation Server + Visual Studio 2010 (Premium or Ultimate only) has database integration with source control through Database Projects. I am sure that other version control systems have similar capabilities ... but this does not answer your question for a lightweight or integrated database version control system. (Therefore, this is technically not the answer - just some kind of information that can help you solve your basic question).

A quick search found some useful articles, but didn't seem to exactly answer this query:

• RedGate SQL Source Control 3.0
• Version Databases - Branching and Merging - OdeToCode.com 2008

RedGate is a top-level database developer company that develops solutions for Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and possibly other database solutions. The trick is that RedGate SQL Source Control 3.0 allows you to work with your version control system in SSMS (Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio), but it is not DB VCS (version control system) on its own. Excerpt from their website:

SQL Source Control is an add-on for SQL Server Management Studio that allows you to get the database into source control. SQL source code management therefore brings the benefits of change management and source collaboration for database development without affecting the workflow or requiring new development processes. Note. Source SQL Control is not a version control system; it allows you to store your databases in your existing version control system.