Data Migration

Data Migration - Safe Schema Changes

When to use this skill

• Migrating database schemas and structures
• Transforming data between formats
• Moving data between database systems
• Implementing versioned database migrations
• Handling data transformations during migrations
• Ensuring data integrity and validation
• Planning zero-downtime migrations
• Rolling back failed migrations safely
• Migrating from legacy systems
• Implementing data backfill strategies
• Testing migrations in staging environments
• Creating migration rollback procedures

When to use this skill

• Migrating data between schemas, zero-downtime deployments.
• When working on related tasks or features
• During development that requires this expertise

Use when: Migrating data between schemas, zero-downtime deployments.

Process

• Add new column
• Dual-write to old & new
• Backfill historical data
• Switch reads to new column
• Remove old column

Example

\\\`sql

-- Step 1: Add column

ALTER TABLE users ADD COLUMN email_new VARCHAR(255);

-- Step 2: Backfill

UPDATE users SET email_new = email WHERE email_new IS NULL;

-- Step 3: Swap

ALTER TABLE users DROP COLUMN email;

ALTER TABLE users RENAME COLUMN email_new TO email;

\\\`

Resources

• Database Migrations