Conception and Realization of the Versioning of Databases Between Two Research Institutes

This paper describes the version control of oracle databases across different environments. The basis of this paper is the collaboration between the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research (GSI) and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). The goal is to provide a sufficient and practical concept to improve database synchronization and version control for a specific database landscape for the two research facilities. First, the relevant requirements for both research facilities were identified and compared, leading to the creation of a shared catalog of requirements. In the process database tools, such as Liquibase and Flyway, were used and integrated as prototypes into the Oracle system landscape. During the implementation of prototypes several issues were identified, which arise out of the established situation of two collaborating departments of the research facilities. Requirements on the prototype were, to be flexible enough to adapt to the given conditions of the database landscape. The creation of a flexible and adjustable system enables the two research facilities to use, synchronize and update the shared database landscape.