Making SSDT just generate a SQL script (and not deploy a database)

Question

Having recently upgraded to SSDT 2012 I seem to be missing the option to just generate a T-SQL script instead of deploying the database to a server somewhere.

To be

Answer 1

You may want to look at the SQLPackage command line. You can set the options there to use an action of "script" and specify an outputfile name to generate scripts instead of publishing the database. You can also do that through a batch file so it will generate a script every time. You still need to provide a source project and target database, though. The reference for SQLPackage can be found here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh550080%28v=VS.103%29.aspx

Answer 2

I also had a problem where the SSDT project would attempt to deploy changes when the project was run.

In the project properties, choose the "Debug" tab. Change the Start Action to "None". That will prevent it from trying to deploy at that time.

Answer 3

Yes, it is possible.

Is you select Build > Publish ProjectName... from the menu bar, a dialog window pops-up with publishing options – there's a Generate Script button at the bottom of the dialog window.

Answer 4

To generate a script from an offline data project in SSDT rather than deploy to a target database, configure the project settings as shown below