We have two projects that are different but we're not sure how different. How can we compare them?
We are working towards a corporate-wide database gINT project/data template structure. Currently each office has their own. How can we compare all these projects/data templates?
The Compare Databases option in the Tools menu in DATA DESIGN->Project Database enables you to compare the structures of any two databases and view the differences. This is useful for determining which tables and fields are in one database but not the other, or if there are property differences. Note that you can compare two projects, two templates, or a project with a template, or two libraries.
Do the following:
Go to DATA DESIGN->Project Database.
Click the Browse button to the right of the File 1 field. In the file browser window that appears, select either a project, a data template or a library, then click Open.
Click the Browse button to the right of the File 2 field. In the file browser window that appears, select either a project, a data template or a library. Click Open.
In the COMPARE DATABASES dialog box click OK. The report is generated.
In our example, notice that several tables are identified that are in Database 1 but not in Database 2.
Notice that there are three fields in the LITHOLOGY table that are in Database 1 but not in Database 2, and one field (Override Color) that is in Database 2 but not Database 1.
Click the OK button to dismiss the report.
The Combined Database Characteristics option in the Tools menu in DATA DESIGN->Project Database generates a multiple-tab Excel spreadsheet that provides side-by-side analysis of the tables and fields in multiple databases. It is a more comprehensive and easier-to-read format than the text file generated by Compare Databases. You can compare multiple databases rather than just two.
To demonstrate this feature, do the following:
Select Tools->Combined Database Characteristics. The COMBINED DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS dialog box appears.
Click the Browse button to the right of the Excel File field. Enter a file name and click Save.
Click the Browse button to the right of the Databases to use field. Select at least 2 projects, data templates or libraries and click Open.
Check the Launch Excel after Export checkbox. Click OK. The spreadsheet is generated and opened.
Click the Table Summary tab. Notice that the final three columns identify in which database each field is found.
Click the Special Features tab. Notice that the presence or absence of Lab Testing, Site Map and Surfaces support is detailed for each file.
Click the LITHOLOGY tab. Notice that the presence or absence of each field in each of the three databases is detailed. This analysis is performed for each table in a separate tab.
Help->Index->Combined Database Characteristics