Software is evolving and certainly SQL Server is not an exception to the rule. Every few years we need to upgrade our databases in order to run on a newer version of SQL Server and take advantage of significant new features that will enhance the operations of our organization.
However, upgrading a database to a newer compatibility level of any DBMS involves evaluating not just the database but also how an entire application supported by that database will behave.
The easiest thing for many people is to move the database to the new version of SQL Server but make use of the backwards compatibility support of the Database Engine. This is however not a recommended approach because this way you cannot utilize all the features provided by the Database Engine of that new version of SQL Server.
High-level practice for moving a database to a newer version of SQL Server
A recommended high-level practice for moving a database to a newer version of SQL Server is:
Analyze your database with SQL Server Upgrade Advisor (for each SQL Server version there is the corresponding version of the Upgrade Advisor) in order to find any incompatibilities (i.e. the usage of deprecated features, etc.).
Resolve any compatibility issues that might be reported by the tool.
Move the database to the desired version of SQL Server on a Test Environment.
Test your database and the supported application to check if everything works well (this step involves any business users they application might have too).
Resolve any issues that might be raised.
Only if you are sure that everything works well after the testing process and any issues have been resolved then you can proceed to the actual migration.
Of course, it goes without saying that you always need to take backups of your databases, not only during their operational cycle but also always before you are going to make changes to their configuration.
What about Legacy applications?
Now, you might encounter certain cases where you deal with a “legacy” application and it might be nearly impossible to upgrade its supporting database to a newer version but at the same time you want to move it to a newer version of SQL Server. In such cases you can make use of the backwards compatibility the Database Engine of SQL Server provides. However, each version of SQL Server supports up to a specific compatibility level. For example if you have a SQL Server 2000 database you cannot migrate it to a SQL Server 2012 or 2014 instance because there is not backwards compatibility support for such an old version of SQL Server. You can however migrate it to a SQL Server 2008 R2 instance.
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Below you can find the supported compatibility modes for SQL Server versions 2008 and later:
SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2
100: SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 R2 (native compatibility level)
90: SQL Server 2005
80: SQL Server 2000
SQL Server 2012
110: SQL Server 2012 (native compatibility level)
100: SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 R2
90: SQL Server 2005
SQL Server 2014
120: SQL Server 2014 (native compatibility level)
110: SQL Server 2012
100: SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 R2
SQL Server 2016
130: SQL Server 2016 (native compatibility level)
120: SQL Server 2014
110: SQL Server 2012
100: SQL Server 2008/R2
SQL Server 2017
140: SQL Server 2017 (native compatibility level)
130: SQL Server 2016
120: SQL Server 2014
110: SQL Server 2012
100: SQL Server 2008/R2
SQL Server 2019
150: SQL Server 2019 (native compatibility level)
140: SQL Server 2017
130: SQL Server 2016
120: SQL Server 2014
110: SQL Server 2012
100: SQL Server 2008/R2
Free Service on SQLNetHub – SQL Server Backward Compatibility Check
With this free service, you can easily retrieve useful information about the backwards compatibility support for any version of SQL Server. Just select the SQL Server version and you will get the list of backwards compatible SQL Server versions.
Artemakis Artemiou is a seasoned Senior Database and AI/Automation Architect with over 20 years of expertise in the IT industry. As a Certified Database, Cloud, and AI professional, he has been recognized as a thought leader, earning the prestigious Microsoft Data Platform MVP title for nine consecutive years (2009-2018). Driven by a passion for simplifying complex topics, Artemakis shares his expertise through articles, online courses, and speaking engagements. He empowers professionals around the globe to excel in Databases, Cloud, AI, Automation, and Software Development. Committed to innovation and education, Artemakis strives to make technology accessible and impactful for everyone.
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