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generate a dacpac file from a Visual Studio project from the command line?

  • July 20, 2018 at 2:15 am

    #372396

    Hi there,

    I would like to automate deployment of my Visual Studio SQL Project to some environments.
    I suppose I need to generate a dacpac file from the project... but how do I do that?

    I know I can generate it interactively in Visual Studio, but I don't want it interactive.

    SQLPackage.exe can generate a dacpac file from a database... but not from a project... 🙁

    So, how do I generate that dacpac file from a project (which is held in source control, of course)

    Thanks

    Eric

  • July 20, 2018 at 2:29 am

    #1998343

    Hi,

    There is a class called DacServices (in Microsoft.SqlServer.Dac namespace). It has a Publish method. Does it serve your purpose?
    Do you want both Publish and deploy functionality to be handled?

  • July 20, 2018 at 3:12 am

    #1998346

    Now, I think I understand the Publish side.
    Once I have a dacpac file, I can publish it through SQLPackage.exe or Powershell.
    I think that aspect is fine.

    What I am after is to produce a dacpac file from the source code without using Visual Studio interactively.
    I know "building" the project will generate a dacpac file (in bin or debug folder...)
    I know I could "snapshot" the project and produce a dacpac file that way.

    But the scenario I have in mind is that a service will monitor my source control.
    On some trigger, it will create a copy of the project (from Source Control) and then build a dacpac from that.

    We are thinking of using Jenkins to orchestrate all this but right now I am wondering how can I generate the dacpac file from the source code using some sort of scripting.
    Kind of performing a project build from the command line I suppose

    Hope I make sense...

    PS: we are NOT using Visual Studio Team Services...
    PPS: Is this a job for MSBuild?

  • July 20, 2018 at 5:19 am

    #1998360

    Eric Mamet - Friday, July 20, 2018 3:12 AM

    Now, I think I understand the Publish side.
    Once I have a dacpac file, I can publish it through SQLPackage.exe or Powershell.
    I think that aspect is fine.

    What I am after is to produce a dacpac file from the source code without using Visual Studio interactively.
    I know "building" the project will generate a dacpac file (in bin or debug folder...)
    I know I could "snapshot" the project and produce a dacpac file that way.

    But the scenario I have in mind is that a service will monitor my source control.
    On some trigger, it will create a copy of the project (from Source Control) and then build a dacpac from that.

    We are thinking of using Jenkins to orchestrate all this but right now I am wondering how can I generate the dacpac file from the source code using some sort of scripting.
    Kind of performing a project build from the command line I suppose

    Hope I make sense...

    PS: we are NOT using Visual Studio Team Services...
    PPS: Is this a job for MSBuild?

    Yes, it's a job for MSBuild:
    "%MSBuildExePath%" [filename].sln /t:rebuild /p:Configuration=Debug

    Will rebuild all projects in your solution, using the Debug config. Modify to suit your requirements. Post back if you want the syntax for building just a single project in a solution.

  • July 20, 2018 at 5:24 am

    #1998363

    Brilliant.

    If you have this off hand, could I ask the syntax for a single project, please?

  • July 20, 2018 at 5:36 am

    #1998367

    Eric Mamet - Friday, July 20, 2018 5:24 AM

    Brilliant.

    If you have this off hand, could I ask the syntax for a single project, please?

    This should do it:

    "%MSBuildExePath%" [filename].sln /t:[projectname]:rebuild /p:Configuration=Debug

  • July 20, 2018 at 5:38 am

    #1998368

    Many thanks.

    VERY helpful (as usual!)

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