Command line error in 8.50.25.47 but not in GUI

Adrian Dawson

Hi, have a ‘mystery’ problem with the command line.

If I run the following from a command prompt:
C:\Documents and Settings\adrianda>"C:\Program Files\Red Gate\SQL Data Compare 8\SQLDataCompare"/project:"D:\NDW\test1.sdc"

It writes the following to the console:
Registering databases
Mapping
Comparing databases
Error: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
If I run the same project in the GUI environment it functions correctly.

The following outlines steps I’ve take to try and isolate (unsuccessfully) the problem:
• The above project has been re-created from scratch and only looks to compare a single object in an attempt to narrow down the problem
• I’ve copied the same project to another machine with RedGate installed, where it will run correctly in the GUI AND command line
• I’ve done various other tests to eliminate permission and related problems

My current thoughts are it must be an environment difference. What do I need to do to resolve the issue?

Chris Auckland

Thanks for your post.

Have you tried reinstalling SQL Data Compare? If it works on another machine, then as you suspect, it must be environmental.

I would also suggest trying the patch version available here

Adrian Dawson

Thanks Chris. We reinstalled last week and I applied the patch prior to posting on the forum (as per the version number in my subject line). There are a number of other RedGate packages which are on this server and run sucessfully; so I'm not sure what a re-install with achieve?

Any other ideas?

Chris Auckland

Not any good ones....

Do you get the same problem if you use the command line switches rather than calling a project file? e.g.

C:\Documents and Settings\adrianda>"C:\Program Files\Red Gate\SQL Data Compare 8\SQLDataCompare"/db1:SourceDb /db2:Targetdb

Adrian Dawson

Hi Chris, same error, see DOS screenscrape below.


C:\Program Files\Red Gate\SQL Data Compare 8>sqldatacompare /db1:SouthComm_Syste
m /db2:NDW_Reporting /v
Red Gate SQL Data Compare Command Line Utility V8.50.25.47
==============================================================================
Copyright © Red Gate Software Ltd 1999-2010

Serial Number: 507-001-087456-0310

Comparing database (local).SouthComm_System with database (local).NDW_Reporting.
..
Registering databases
Mapping
Comparing databases
Error: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

C:\Program Files\Red Gate\SQL Data Compare 8>

Adrian Dawson

Hi, uninstalling to downgrade to 8.1.1.33 now has our projects running again. I guess we'll wait for a new patch before moving forward again.