Glossary
What is Database Migration?
The process of changing a database schema (adding columns, creating indexes, renaming tables) in a controlled, reversible way without losing data or taking the application offline. Migrations run as code — each change is a file that can be applied forward (up) or rolled back (down).
Last updated: May 2026
Why it matters
Without migrations, you're manually running SQL commands against a production database. One typo and you've dropped a column with 50,000 user records. Migrations give you a safe, trackable, reversible way to evolve your database schema alongside your application code.
Where AI gets this wrong
How AI tools get this wrong, and why it matters for your app.
AI generates database schemas but not migration strategies. When you need to add a column or change a constraint in production, AI suggests ALTER TABLE statements that lock your database. It doesn't create zero-downtime migration paths or rollback scripts.
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