Separation of DDL and DML in databases is pretty universal. The appropriate RBAC will stop schema modifications. Have the information schema available allows a

Separation of DDL and DML in databases is pretty universal. The appropriate RBAC will stop schema modifications. Have the information schema available allows automated deployments to introspect the database and generate the appropriate deltas between schemas and the migration of data. SQL is a clumsy language, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.