1 Introduction

  • Article

The data-tier application (DAC) schema file format provides XML schema definitions for XML parts in a DAC package (a .dacpac file). A DAC is a self-contained unit for developing, deploying, and managing data-tier objects.

A DAC enables data-tier developers and database administrators (DBAs) to package Microsoft SQL Server objects, including database objects and instance objects, into a single entity called a DAC package, as specified in [MSDN-UNDERDAC]. A DAC package consists of multiple XML parts that represent metadata of the DAC and SQL Server object schema.

Note that the XML Schema definition [XMLSCHEMA1] (XSD) in Appendix A of this document is supplemental to the data portability scenarios that are described in [MS-DPDACPAC].

Sections 1.7 and 2 of this specification are normative. All other sections and examples in this specification are informative.