SSDT, do I need different dacpacs if I need to deploy the same db to SQL Server 2008 and 2012?
deployment, sql, sql-server-2008, sql-server-2012, sql-server-data-tools
Solution
The short answer is yes - different DACPACs for different SQL Server editions. Bob Beuachemin wrote a useful blog post about DAC Fx3.0 vs. DAC 2.0
Problem
While converting database project to SSDT and upgrading to SQL Server 2012 I need deployment script to work for both SQL Server 2008 and 2012. I am using `sqlpackage.exe /Action:Publish` to deploy the latest database bits. In sqlproj project properties I do see a target platform dropdown with options 2005/2008/2012 sql server. Does it generate a different dacpac if I change this target platform? Do I need to carry two versions of dacpac for each sql server version? Or will the same dacpac work for any version of sql server?