Using agile techniques in database development

Mitja Golouh (2009) Using agile techniques in database development. MSc thesis.

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Abstract

The master's thesis presents techniques used in an agile driven database development. Two techniques are discussed in details: configuration management of database artifacts and developer sandboxes. Both of them are necessary for successful implementation of other agile driven database development techniques. Good knowledge of database schema install and upgrade procedures is required when implementing configuration management of database artifacts and developer sandboxes. Key area of this thesis is a field study on different development projects where database development specifics were recorded. Interesting finding is related to high number of stored procedures changes. In thesis we propose a new approach for stored procedure development using an idea of selective compilation from make tool. Other findings are: too complex set up of a new schema for developer's sandbox, keeping scripts up to date is very time consuming and support for managing deployment errors is insufficient. Findings combined with existing knowledge of agile techniques inspired the creation of a new tool SQLMake which simplifies and automates database schema install and upgrade procedures, sql script maintenance, error management and supports a new way of stored procedure development. All together SQLMake enables easier configuration management of database artifacts and use of developer sandboxes. Thesis is divided into six chapters. First chapter describes the problem and goals. Second chapter contains an overview of agile database development techniques and related work in the field of database change management. Third chapter presents three case studies of database development. Fourth chapter deals with detailed description of database schema install and upgrade procedure. SQLMake tool and its usage are presented in fifth chapter. Last, sixth chapter contains conclusion and suggestions for future work on SQLMake tool.

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