Sybase to SQL Server Migration

Job Description

Sybase Developer to SQL Server

• SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)/Amazon SQL
• T-SQL dialects (syntax and function differences)
• SQL Server architecture and features (filegroups tempdb)
• Familiarize with Migration Tools: SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Sybase will automate schema and data migration (this should be completed by the migration team but good to understand for any issues)
• Backup and Recovery Procedures
• Test and Validation for post migration

Skill Area

Sybase Developer Skills

SQL Server Equivalent / Required Skills

Notes / Migration Considerations

Database Concepts

Relational DB design normalization indexing

Same concepts apply

Familiarity with SQL Server architecture (instances databases filegroups)

SQL Language

Transact-SQL (T-SQL) for Sybase

T-SQL for SQL Server

Syntax differences and enhancements in SQL Server T-SQL (e.g. MERGE )

Stored Procedures

Creating and managing stored procedures

Writing stored procedures in SQL Server (Migration team will be supporting)

Differences in system stored procedures error handling and performance tuning

Triggers

Database triggers for business logic

Triggers in SQL Server

Trigger syntax and behavior differences; avoid recursive triggers

Views

Creating and using views

Views in SQL Server

Mostly similar; some differences in indexing and schema binding

Functions

User-defined functions

Scalar and table-valued functions

SQL Server supports more advanced function types and features

Data Types

Sybase data types (e.g. money datetime varchar)

SQL Server data types

Some data types differ or have different behaviors (e.g. datetime2 vs datetime)

Security

User roles permissions required for team

SQL Server security model (logins users roles schemas)

More granular security and integration with Windows Authentication

Backup & Recovery

Backup and restore concepts

SQL Server backup/restore differential log backups

Learn SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) backup tools and strategies

Performance Tuning

Query tuning indexing strategies if needed

SQL Server Query Optimizer Execution Plans Indexes

Use SQL Server Profiler Database Engine Tuning Advisor Dynamic Management Views (DMVs)

Replication / ETL

Replication methods bulk load tools

SQL Server Replication SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services)

Migration may involve SSIS for data transformation and load

Tools

Sybase Central isql bcp

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) sqlcmd bcp

Familiarity with new tools and interfaces is necessary

Migration-Specific

Understanding data structures scripts and logic

Knowledge of migration tools (e.g. SSMA - SQL Server Migration Assistant)

Use tools for schema and data migration; validate data integrity

Scripting / Automation

Shell scripting batch jobs for Sybase

PowerShell SQLCMD scripting for automation

Automation of migration and post-migration tasks