Skip to content

Combine 2.1

New Features and Enhancements

Combine 2.1 is a relatively small release that includes features that were urgently requested by customers. The new version introduces System Variables that allow users to embed system-parameters in SQL scripts and code, as well as minor updates to the CpaBuild command-line utility and the information shown in package Results, script Results, and the cre output files.

1. System Variables

System Variables are system-parameters that can be embedded in SQL scripts and code, both in packages as well as in individual (i.e., non-package) scripts that are executed directly from the editor. System Variables enable users to embed the name of each target database, the name of the target server, as well as the SQL Server instance name. When used in SQL code, the format of System Variables is <%VariableName%> (for example, <%MyVar%>).

Unlike Environment Variables that utilize the format <$VariableName$>, System Variables are built-in to the application and are not defined or created by users. In addition, the value of System Variables is automatically replaced by Combine when executing packages and scripts – users are not prompted to validate or update their value before code is deployed, as in the case of Environment Variables.

For additional information please refer to the section titled System Variables in the help files.

2. CpaBuild changes

The CpaBuild command-line utility now supports a new method, namely /UpdatePackage /rm, which allows users to update a code package and remove missing references – files and folders that do not exist on the file system however are included in the package. A brief description of the CpaBuild command-line utility is available here. A detailed description of the utility can be found in the CpaBuild.txt file, which is located in the installation directory of JNetDirect Combine.

3. Results and Cre changes

A new node that shows the content of each script as it was executed against each target database is now available in the Results pane and in the cre file, and can be found under individual database nodes. This change applies to Package Results, Results in the editor, and cre files. If Environment Variables or System Variables are embedded in the original script, then the new node displays the script content after all variable replacements.

Note: The new version is fully backward compatible: Cre files that are created with older versions of Combine can be opened and viewed in the new version.