On the more technical side of news, the SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) team has announced their most recent update to 16.4.
The update to 16.4 is making Schema Compare supported in SqlPackage.exe. It will also be supported by the Data-Tier Application Framework API. It was clarified in the SSDT team blog corresponding with the update that files created in Visual Studio with Schema Compare (.scmp) will now be accepted. The files can now be created, loaded, compared, and otherwise used now by the Data-Tier Application Framework API.
The Schema Compare file specifies the source and target, which can be either a database or a dacpac file. Note: Schema Compare files that have a database project as the source or target are not supported at this time. Your schema compare file can, though, reference the dacpac file from your database project’s build output.
Another major feature of the update was the addition of the Integrated Workspace Mode for SSDT Tabular. This analysis service makes it possible to create and organize data internally. They’ve even made it easy to switch tabular projects on explicit work space servers over to the new feature so that you can continue your task without much hassle. More details were released on the Analysis Services and PowerPivot Team Blog:
In integrated workspace mode, SSDT Tabular dynamically starts its internal SSAS instance in the background and loads the database so that you can add and view tables, columns, and data in the model designer, and if you add additional tables, columns, relationships, and so forth, you are automatically modifying the workspace database, as well. Integrated workspace mode does not change how SSDT Tabular works with a workspace server and database. What changes is where SSDT Tabular hosts the workspace database.
The update also came with a vast amount of bug fixes and improvements for database tools and analysis reporting services.
You can download the SSDT 16.4 for Visual Studio from the SQL Server Tools library. Likewise, the Data-Tier Application Framework 16.4 is available from the Download Center.
