You don't want to synchronize them blindly. If all you ever do is add nullable columns, then you're find. However, if you remove a column or change a column to a different type or add restrictions (NOT NULL, foreigh key, etc), then you have a hard problem.

The best solution is twofold:

  1. For each update, write an upgrade script for the DB to go from the most recent schema to this one.
  2. Require your users to upgrade to each version. They cannot skip versions.

You can automate step 2 any number of ways. It will take them a little longer to upgrade, but with a better chance of a successful upgrade.

My criteria for good software:
  1. Does it work?
  2. Can someone else come in, make a change, and be reasonably certain no bugs were introduced?

In reply to Re: How to synchronize two database tables in MySQL? by dragonchild
in thread How to synchronize two database tables in MySQL? by Cap'n Steve

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