Reading a comparison
Read a comparison's summary, filter its objects, see each difference and its change script, and find past comparisons.
A comparison lists every object in the compared schemas and how it differs between the source (X) and the target (Y).
The header
The header shows the project’s name, the engine, the comparison’s number, its status, the source and target, and when it ran. It also has:
- Edit project (or Edit pipeline): change the settings, then compare again. Saving compares again and opens the new comparison.
- Compare again: run the comparison again with the databases as they are now. The new result replaces this one on screen.
- Deploy: open the deploy wizard. Its badge counts the changes. See How deployments work.
A Target: <label> tag marks a comparison of one of the project’s extra targets. A Pipeline / ad hoc tag marks a comparison that was not run from a project.
Summary cards
Four cards count the objects:
| Card | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Different | The object exists on both sides but its definition differs. |
| Only in source | Deploying to the target creates it. |
| Only in target | Deploying to the target drops it. |
| Identical | Both sides match. |
Choose a card to show only those objects. Choose it again to show all changes.
Under the cards, a meter shows how many objects were compared and the share that is identical.
The object list
Objects are grouped by type. Choose a group’s header to collapse or expand it.
- Filter objects filters by name or object type.
- The chip of the active card clears the filter back to all differences.
- Use the
↑and↓keys to move between objects. - Drag the divider between the list and the detail pane to resize them.
The first object is selected when the comparison opens. When nothing differs, the list starts on Identical.
An object’s detail
Select an object to see its type, name, status, and a line explaining what the status means.
Side by side
Side by side shows the target’s definition (“Target (Y) · now”) against the source’s (“Source (X)”). A missing side reads “— not present”. Switch between Side by side and Inline to choose the layout.
Change script
Change script shows the SQL that Deploy would run for this object. It is read only. It is not available for identical objects. “Parallax has no change script for this difference” means there is nothing Parallax can script for it.
Choose Copy SQL to copy any SQL view to the clipboard.
Renames
On an object that is only on one side, Same object as… pairs it with its other name. On a table on both sides, Renamed columns… pairs renamed columns. See Renames.
Banners
| Banner | What it means |
|---|---|
| “This comparison is history: deployment #<n> applied its changes…” | A deployment was made from this comparison. Choose View the result after deploying to see the comparison made right after it. Deploy is not available here. |
| “This is an older comparison…” | A newer comparison of the same pair exists. Choose Open the latest to open it. Deploy from the latest one. |
| “Deployment #<n> from this comparison failed…” | The last deployment from this comparison failed. The error says whether it was rolled back or partly applied. On SQL Server and MySQL, if some changes stayed applied, compare again before deploying. Choose See the deployment to open it. |
| “Not everything was compared.” | The account could not see some objects on one side. Each line names the side, what was left out, and the right to grant. See Accounts with fewer rights. |
| “A declared rename was not applied.” | A rename declared on the project no longer applies. See Renames. |
What an account cannot see is left out on both sides. You can still deploy the rest.
A failed comparison has no results. It says “This comparison failed, so it has no results. Check the connections and choose Compare again.”
When Deploy is not available
| Tooltip | Why |
|---|---|
| “Nothing to deploy” | There are no differences, the comparison failed, or the target has no connection. |
| “Already deployed; compare again to see the databases as they are now” | A successful deployment came from this comparison. |
| “A newer comparison exists; deploy from that one” | This is an older comparison of the pair. |
Deploy and Compare again are also unavailable while another job runs.
The Comparisons list
Open Comparisons to see every comparison, newest first.
- Filter by All, With differences, Identical or Starred.
- Choose a project in All projects to see only its comparisons. Comparison history on a project opens this list filtered to it.
- Sort by #, Project, Result or Run.
- Choose Star to keep a comparison handy, and Starred to find it again.
- Choose a row, or Open, to open a comparison.
- Choose Delete to delete a comparison.
The list shows 15 rows a page; you can show 30 or 60.