I've a database in a production server (SQL Server 2012) and I've a development server (SQL Server 2014).
I need to attach the database in the development server but I've realized that once attached it's automatically upgraded to the version 2014 so I can't attach it again in the production server.
Is it possible to attach the database in the development server without upgrading it?
We are planning to make changes in dev, detach, and attach it back to production.
Best Answer
No.
Several possible workarounds, none of them trivial:
5 is probably the simplest and most straight-forward, if disk space allows. 2 is probably the one that most conforms to "best practices", if you can't install a 2012 dev instance. 3 and 4 are the easiest to mess up, if you miss a piece somehow. I'd avoid these if you can.
Clearly the best option, for the current need and whatever the next one brings, is to have a permanent dev environment that matches production as closely as possible. Obviously do this on a new server/vm or as a second instance in the dev server, not on the production box.