I think I have decided that I need a new script, that I run periodically on the test/development site when I am ready to implement an update on the demo and live sites.
This script will have to be written for each table. It will rewrite date fields with new date information with normal php processing. Then I can just generate the sql text file as it is now and use this on the demo site. At least that way I am dealing with normal database fields in the normal way instead of a giant text file.
This script will have to be revisited on every site development to make sure any db changes are reflected in it, but that seems the least tedious of all the options.
I think that is what I am going to do, although I am still frustrated and a bit annoyed with it.
Best wishes,
Paul.
