SQL Server - SQL Compare - Automatic identification and replacement of differing database names?

Question

I have two development databases locally

1. Alpha
2. Beta_Dev

I have two production databases remotely

1. Alpha
2. Beta

I use SQL Compare to sync the schema of the two Alpha databases.

Sometimes, stored procedures in the Development version of Database Alpha reference tables in Database Beta, or in the local environment, Beta_Dev.

For Example:

Select * from Beta_Dev.dbo.MyTable

This code will not work on the production server, because the Beta Database is called Beta, rather than Beta_Dev.

Is there a way, using SQL Compare, to have all SP's or Views be compared such that Beta_Dev (local) = Beta (remote)?

Not only would the databases be uploaded in working order, but SQL Compare won't be tricked into thinking the SP's are different, when only Beta_Dev / Beta are different.

Answer 1

I don't think you can do it the way you want but here is a potential workaround if it is suitable for what you want to do

Create Synonyms for the objects that are reference in the Beta databases

USE [Alpha]
CREATE SYNONYM [dbo].[BetaMyTable] FOR [Beta].[dbo].[MyTable]

and

USE [Alpha_dev]
CREATE SYNONYM [dbo].[BetaMyTable] FOR [Beta_dev].[dbo].[MyTable]

so your procs can now use:

SELECT * FROM BetaMyTable

in SQL Compare, there is an ignore rule option in Edit Project... -> Options called Database and server name in synonyms. I believe it is checked by default but it is there if you want to change it