Here is something that is not documented very well. In SQL Server Data Tools projects we have the ability to include SQLCMD variables. The idea is to allow access to a different set of resources at development time without getting compile time errors. In the example below I have variable called LinkedServer that points to a SQL Server Linked Server. In production it could be called something else.
We can see a Default value of DEV and a Local value MYDEV. So what is the difference between the two?
Firstly MYDEV will be used in preference to DEV however; it is not mandatory to include a Local value. The difference comes down to where the value is stored.
The Default value is stored in the project file within the project folder. <project>.sqlproj
This file will be checked into your source code repository and will be pulled down by every developer of the project. So every developer sees DEV as a default value.
The Local value is stored in the project user file within the project folder. <project>.sqlproj.user
This file must NOT be checked into your source code repository thus allowing each developer to have their own value.
Denham Coder 