We have a medium sized SQL2005 database with references to other SQL Server and Netezza databases (via linked server). On PROD the references exist. In my VS2012 database project I have imported the references as linked servers or database references where appropriate and the project compiles. There are plenty of warnings though.
I need to be able to deploy my changes to DEV and TEST environments where there are not the referenced databases so I can test my changes. My changes are not in the objects that reference the missing databases. I cannot deploy using "schema compare" > "update" as it fails.
Please can any one advise what is the best practice in this case?
In your schema compares for DEV and TEST, check Exclude next to the objects that reference the missing databases. When you run the update, it will ignore those objects.