tracking changes made in database structure

Question

How would I be able to track all changes to my database?

I need a way to find out exactly what changes I made to the database so that I can make the same changes on anot

Answer 1

I have been reading on the net about schemas, is this a useful way to compare databases and find any changes?

Answer 2

Have you considered using MySQL Replication to do this? You really don't want to implement this yourself unless you have to for some reason.

Answer 3

phpmyadmin had a GSoC project involving replication this summer by Tomas Srnka. i think it made it’s way to trunk already

Answer 4

there is many tools to make data compare : - Database Worbench - EMS sql manager - SQL Maestro - Database comparer

but this tools can also be used for creating update script

Answer 5

Take a look at LiquiBase

It allows you to describe database changes as XML so you can maintain your database structure in your VCS just like your code.

Answer 6

A non-automated but useful way to keep track of changes to a db is with the MySQL Query Browser. It keeps a history of all operations you run while using it. This makes assembling a change script very straightforward.

Obviously, this is not a solution if you're looking to replicate all changes made by all users. But if you are just looking to keep a set of changes in the correct order and avoid retyping them, it works pretty well.