sql server replication: Hi All,

I want to do the transactional replication. Wanted to know
what type of schema changes in Publisher database can not
be done, without initialising the Subscriber. I know that
delete a column or adding a column in a published table
can be done through two "sp_...". [ alter table commands
can not be issued on a published table - they would not be
replicated]

What about (1) Changing the width of a column.
(2) dropping a constraint on the publiushed
table
(3) creating a new constraint on the published
table.
(4) dropping an index on the published table -
would it be replicated to the subscriber.
(5) creating a new index on a published table -
will this be replicated or an index
would need to be created on the Subscriber
database.

Any article which details the schema changes in a
published table or database??

Thank You!

Ash,
have entered my answers prefixed with ***....
(1) Changing the width of a column.
***Not allowed - needs reinitialisation.
(2) dropping a constraint on the publiushed
table
***Allowed for a check constraint this can be dropped at
***the publisher but is not replicated.
(3) creating a new constraint on the published
table.
***Allowed but not replicated
(4) dropping an index on the published table -
would it be replicated to the subscriber.
***Allowed but not replicated.
(5) creating a new index on a published table -
will this be replicated or an index
would need to be created on the Subscriber database.
***Allowed but not replicated.

For those actions allowed on the publisher but not
replicated, you could use On-Demand Script Execution (or
linked servers etc).
Regards,

Thank a lot Paul,

I would have only one subscriber to the publisher ( my
production database). I would be using the subscriber only
in case of a failover, of the productio database.

(1) Do I need to have readonly subscriber or updatable
subscriber.

Also, just out of curiosity, Can I execute the create
index/constraint script saperately, on the subscriber -
by directly logging on to the subscriber [ instead of On
demand script execution}

Regards,
Ash.


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