Database migration is the process of transferring databases across different storage types, formats, or platforms. Businesses and organizations may need database migration for a variety of reasons, including server or storage equipment replacement, maintenance or upgrade, application transfer, website consolidation, and data center relocation. This involves migrating all database objects and categories, including table definitions, data, indexes, constraints, views, triggers, stored procedures and processes, as well as user accounts, roles, and permissions.
Databases may be moved manually or programmatically using specialized software referred to as database migration tools. Typically, a manual method entails the following steps:
- SQL statements are used to export table definitions, indexes, and constraints from the source database.
- translate these statements to the target database’s format and import them
- export data from the source database to a temporary storage location, such as comma separated values (CSV) files.
- convert the data to the target format and load it into the target database
- extract views, stored procedures/functions, and triggers in the form of SQL statements and code from the source database
- translate these statements and code to the target database’s format and load them
Immediately after loading to the new program, the completed data must be examined to see if the database was transferred successfully, is complete, and has the necessary support for the new system’s programs. It may be prudent to operate both the source and destination database systems simultaneously during the verification process in order to identify areas of discrepancy and avoid data loss or damage.
For large and complex database migration projects, it is better to do them programmatically in order to create an automated process flow and relieve human resources of difficult work. It is critical to choose the appropriate technology to migrate the database within the specified timeframe and without data loss or corruption.
The following is a list of major functionalities that may be enabled with the usage of superior database migration tools:
- All latest versions of the source and destination database management systems are supported.
- All relevant characteristics are transformed from table definitions, indexes, and constraints.
- For future usage, conversion settings must be saved in a profile.
- Complete Unicode support
- The ability to change type mapping, conversion rules, and so forth.
- Command-line assistance
- Detailed manuals and a 24-hour support service
Numerous software companies provide specialized resources for automating database migration. Intelligent Converters is one of these firms, having been in the database conversion, migration, and synchronization business since 2001. They provide a range of conversion tools that facilitate database migrations across popular database management systems such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, Azure SQL, Microsoft Access, FoxPro, and SQLite.