Though these dump utilities don't offer any particular ordering, in general, given the same versions & switches etc. they will produce the same ordering for the same source material. Ie. They don't have a random component.

Whilst it is possible that two DBs that were arrived at via different routes -- ie. a different sequencing of inserts, updates and deletes -- may produce subtly different dumps due to that ordering, that the OP might decide to consider as "identical", it will require a decision to consider them so.

That is, whilst diff'ing the dumps may produce "false negatives", it will require a human's decision to make the determination that they are indeed false.

There is also the possibility to post process the dumps to achieve some 'canonical' format -- eg. trim whitespace; sort etc. -- but that should rarely be necessary.

For the purposes of checking refactoring, it is safe to assume that the OP would be targeting the same versions of the DBMS & utility for both the reference and check dumps; and any variations between them will be of interest, even if ultimately dismissed as irrelevant.

With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

The start of some sanity?

In reply to Re^3: Testing database updates. by BrowserUk
in thread Testing database updates. by chrestomanci

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