How to migrate 2008 database to 2012 plus change col header etc

[a***@gmail.com]

Hello,

I haven't used SQL or SQL server in three years.

I have been charged to do the migration of a 2008 SQL Server database to 2012 SQL Server.

In addition minor changes must be made to the 2008 database such as: column name changes, zip code format changes, and date and time format changes.

How would you go about doing this, please be specific.

Thanks Mike

[Erland Sommarskog]

Post by a***@gmail.com
I haven't used SQL or SQL server in three years.
I have been charged to do the migration of a 2008 SQL Server database to 2012 SQL Server.
column name changes, zip code format changes, and date and time format
changes.
How would you go about doing this, please be specific.

I will only cover the migration as such. I can't comment on your column
names, zip codes etc, since I know zero about your database.

The quickest way to migrate, is simply to put in the installation CD,
start the Wizard, select to upgrade an existing instance.

However, this is necessarily not the best solution. In many cases, people
prefer to also change hardware while they are at it. I would not be
surprised to learn that your SQL 2008 machine is 4-5 years old.

Personally, I never upgrade existing instances, but I install a new
instance and move the databases with BACKUP/RESTORE. This requires you
also migrate logins, jobs etc. Obviously this is more work - but hardware
should be replaced at some point in time. And having the old environment
as a fallback and reference in case of plan regression is not a bad idea.
An upgrade is an upgrade and there is no way back.