Upgrade process from SQL Server 2000 to SQL Server 2012

I have a SQL Server 2000 database that I would like to upgrade to SQL Server 2012 (running on a different server).

I don't think there is a direct upgrade path, but if there is, what is it?

My current plan is:

• Backup SQL Server 2000 database

• Restore on server with SQL Server 2008 installed

• Set compatibility level to 100 (SQL Server 2008 / SQL Server 2008 R2)

• Backup database from SQL Server 2008 server

• Restore on server with SQL Serevr 2012 installed

• Set compatibility level to 110 (SQL Server 2012)

Am I doing unneeded steps? Am I missing anything (like running utilities to identify usage of unsupported Transact-SQL)?

No, as I see it, you didn't miss anything. I have upgraded one of my databases from SQL Server 2000 to SQL Server 2012.

Another way is to upgrade the entire server – in this case you can use the upgrade wizard.

UPDATE: my upgrade process was successful, but be careful about discontinued and deprecated features in SQL Server 2008 and 2012.

StackExchange Database Administrators Q#15857, answer score: 5