Is it possible to extract SQL Server database and object scripts from a DACPAC without connecting to a live instance? For example, can dbcmd automate this?
dbcmd -i PackageFile.dacpac -o StartupScript.sql --simulate
hey ppl, interesing topic! i’ve not tried it myself but i wonder if using sqlpackage’s extract option might work better. any one else see a workarund with dacpac extraction without a live db? what has worked for you all?
i think sqlpackage can do it but always ends up using a dummy live db connection. you might hack around device by unzipping the dacpac, yet its messy and error-prone. better to test on a minimal instance if possible.
It is indeed feasible to generate scripts from a DACPAC without requiring an active database connection by taking advantage of the Data-tier Application Framework (DacFX). I have worked with DacFx directly in a few automation projects to parse the DACPAC and script out the database schema. This method leverages the internal model contained in the package, so you do not have to connect to a live instance. Using this approach requires understanding of the API and some custom scripting, but the flexibility and independence from a live server can be very beneficial.
hey guys, ive been curious bout dabbling with dacfx as well. i wonder if merging sqlpackage tools might ease the process without full live connection. what kind a tricks have you tried? anyone else got neat workarounds?
hey, i unzipped a dacpac and used a custom ps script to pars its xml. got a working script without live db, not the prettiest but effective. rsk it if u wanna skip the dummy instance